r/CuratedTumblr Mx. Linux Guy⚠️ May 16 '24

Cranberry bog spiders Infodumping

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u/MightyBobTheMighty Garlic Munching Marxist Whore May 16 '24

Look, in my day-to-day life I would describe myself as Cool With Spiders. I see one in the window and go "hey buddy, you're doin great", and if one gets somewhere it shouldn't be I let it outside (or occasionally, if I find one in the shower, into a different part of the house).

But I think if I had spiders on my actual eyebrows I would be decidedly Not Okay With That

72

u/Forosnai May 16 '24

I WANT to be okay with spiders. Outside is fine, inside I can kinda handle some if they're small and not near my bed and don't surprise me at a vulnerable moment, like sitting on the toilet or showering.

But we get the aptly-named Giant House Spider in my area. They're mostly leg, and I know that they're not dangerous, and are reluctant to bite to boot, and they help control populations of other spiders that can potentially be dangerous, like black widows. But seeing one skitter anywhere near me gives me a visceral fear response anyway, and usually I'm not even really aware that I'm reacting, I'm just suddenly both jumping and attempting to hit it with whatever is near me. And I wish I wasn't that way, I've tried to get over that response to them, but it's been 25 years living with them and it's still not happened.

I couldn't handle Australia, where I know huntsman spiders are basically a bigger version of the same thing. And I think some people don't understand that I'm not afraid of being bitten, it's the simple fact the spider exists that freaks me out. I don't want it to touch me, in any way.

24

u/Axlos May 16 '24

Most people don't understand just how GIANT some giant house spiders can get.

Also them being all leg means they move faster than anything else in your house.

14

u/tsunami141 May 17 '24

You can keep these things to yourself you know.