Nature & Environment
Terrifying, Face-Sized Spider Recently Discovered in Sri Lanka
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Apr 04, 2013 11:48 AM EDT
A terrifying spider has been discovered in northern Sri Lanka. Not only is it poisonous, not only is it furry, not only is it fast, but it's also the size of an average person's face. That's sure to keep you up at night--especially when you take into account that it apparently likes to sneak into homes during monsoon season.
The massive spider was first noticed in 2009, when a survey was carried out on the Theeraphosidae spiders of Sri Lanka in the northern part of the country. The first specimen that researchers saw wasn't alive, though. Local villagers had apparently killed the massive spider after it wandered inside--can we really blame them? After examining the dead spider, the researchers realized that it didn't conform to the descriptions of any of the other species of Poecilotheira that have so far been described from the island. The scientists had discovered a new species.
They weren't satisfied with just the one dead male specimen, though. The researchers ventured into the woods and carried out extensive surveys for days. After searching tree holes and bark peel, they eventually located a female and several juveniles.
The spider itself is now named Poecilotheira rajaei. With its greyish body covered in darker markings, it blends in perfectly with tree bark. It's also poisonous with its legs spanning about eight inches. It prefers to hide in burrows and other natural cavities, or under rocks and fallen logs. During monsoonal periods, these spiders (especially the males) have a habit of entering human dwellings that border forested areas--that will make you jump.
Massive as the spider may be, it's not the biggest one in existence. That title goes to the goliath birdeater, which eats insects, frogs, small snakes, lizards and even rodents and bats. True to its name, the tarantula will also sometimes prey on young birds.
This new species is relatively rare--a good thing if you're worried about it wandering into your home. Due to deforestation, its numbers have dwindled. Conservation efforts may be needed in order to help restore the species' numbers.
The spider is described in the British Tarantula Society Journal.
See Now:
NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone
©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
More on SCIENCEwr
First Posted: Apr 04, 2013 11:48 AM EDT
A terrifying spider has been discovered in northern Sri Lanka. Not only is it poisonous, not only is it furry, not only is it fast, but it's also the size of an average person's face. That's sure to keep you up at night--especially when you take into account that it apparently likes to sneak into homes during monsoon season.
The massive spider was first noticed in 2009, when a survey was carried out on the Theeraphosidae spiders of Sri Lanka in the northern part of the country. The first specimen that researchers saw wasn't alive, though. Local villagers had apparently killed the massive spider after it wandered inside--can we really blame them? After examining the dead spider, the researchers realized that it didn't conform to the descriptions of any of the other species of Poecilotheira that have so far been described from the island. The scientists had discovered a new species.
They weren't satisfied with just the one dead male specimen, though. The researchers ventured into the woods and carried out extensive surveys for days. After searching tree holes and bark peel, they eventually located a female and several juveniles.
The spider itself is now named Poecilotheira rajaei. With its greyish body covered in darker markings, it blends in perfectly with tree bark. It's also poisonous with its legs spanning about eight inches. It prefers to hide in burrows and other natural cavities, or under rocks and fallen logs. During monsoonal periods, these spiders (especially the males) have a habit of entering human dwellings that border forested areas--that will make you jump.
Massive as the spider may be, it's not the biggest one in existence. That title goes to the goliath birdeater, which eats insects, frogs, small snakes, lizards and even rodents and bats. True to its name, the tarantula will also sometimes prey on young birds.
This new species is relatively rare--a good thing if you're worried about it wandering into your home. Due to deforestation, its numbers have dwindled. Conservation efforts may be needed in order to help restore the species' numbers.
The spider is described in the British Tarantula Society Journal.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone