'Nightmare' Spider Rescued From L.I. Home

WNBC (NY) ^ | 8/17/07 | n/a

[kiriath_jearim]

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. -- An orange tarantula with venomous fangs was rescued by animal cruelty officials Friday after its owner said he could no longer care for it.

"This is the kind of spider that nightmares are made of," said Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

He said the spider is moody and aggressive, and can jump 3 feet and bite with its large fangs when it rears up on its hind legs. The bites are dangerous to humans.

The spider, known as an ornate golden baboon, has a fat body 5 inches long that is covered in orange hair. Male baboon spiders can have a leg span of about 8 inches, and the female is even larger.

Gross said he was glad the owner, whose name was not released, called the SPCA instead of dumping the spider.

"This spider is so aggressive, it will bite you just to bite you," he said. "It's not a pet you want to cuddle up with at night."

Baboon spiders have a life span of up to 25 years, are native to southern Africa and spend most of their time near their nests, which are usually holes in the ground.

The SPCA took the spider to a sanctuary for reptiles and other animals.

[Jaysun]

God. That thing gives me the willys. I hate spiders.

[EveningStar]

TaЯd ping!

The "tards" are the ping list members - not necessarily the subject of the thread.

[EveningStar]

another article

[Larry Lucido]

So what kind of round do you use against one of these? .44 magnum? .308 Winchester? 12 gauge slug?

[EveningStar]

A shotgun, or better yet, a flame thrower.

[brityank]

Rescued ??

I'd use my size 9 shoe to "rescue" it !!

[cowboyway]

So what kind of round do you use against one of these? .44 magnum? .308 Winchester? 12 gauge slug?

I'd use rat loads in .22 LR. That would be a bit sporting, especially if you can get it jumping and score a 'wing' shot.

[martin_fierro]

SAY HELLO TO MY LEEEEL FREN'

[Gay State Conservative]

So what kind of round do you use against one of these? .44 magnum? .308 Winchester? 12 gauge slug?

Or,so as not to alarm the neighbors,just use this.

[sweet_diane]

I can appreciate all of God’s creatures...really I can. But why would anyone in their right mind want to have such a dangerous and icky one in their home! Don’t box those bad boys in..let them roam free in their homeland, is my motto. lol

[sweet_diane]

ick... now i'm feeling imaginary creepy crawlies all over me.

[EveningStar]

Video of some guy taking his pet baboon spider out for a walk

[Larry Lucido]

Martin’s weapon is a higher caliber. :-)

[RandallFlagg]

Where’s a pepsis wasp when ya need one?

[pax_et_bonum]

pingy dingy

[trimom]

Another reason I’m glad I married a man. You know, a real man, who kills creepy crawly things for me.

[Daffynition]

Knock ..knock.

[BJClinton]

That is so cool! I want one.

[uglybiker]

If it works on Texas-sized bugs it oughtta be no problem on one o' them there Aferc'n spiders!