Terrifying Tarantula

Caitlin and Lachlan of Chuwar, about 30km south-west of Brisbane, were shocked to discover a very large spider on top of a pile of soil after their dad had used a bobcat to dig out an old tree stump. It was missing legs and apparently dead, but they were still very careful as they put the spider into a jar and covered it with methylated spirits.

The preserved spider was brought to the Inquiry Centre for identification. Without taking it out of the bottle it was obviously a tarantula by its general shape, front facing fangs, and conspicuous spinnerets. However tarantulas have not been recorded from that area and it was about to be taken to a curator as an exciting new record, when Mark, the youngest member of the Inquiry Centre staff, noticed its unusual red eyes.

The painted red eyes allowed immediate identification: Tarantula plastica, the Plastic Tarantula.