Tarantula Crawls into Fire Station in Khoiniki District PHOTO FACT
An unexpected encounter took place at the fire and rescue post in the agrotown of Kiraŭ, Khoiniki district. There, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations noticed a South Russian tarantula — one of the largest spiders found in our country, writes the local district newspaper "Prypiatskaya Praŭda".
The spider's appearance at the fire station could have been related to its search for shelter from bad weather or the presence of nearby insects that might have attracted it.
The firefighters did not harm the spider. First, they photographed the unusual guest, and then carefully captured it and released it into its natural environment, away from residential buildings.
The South Russian tarantula (Lycosa singori) can have a body up to 3–4 centimeters in length, and its size, including legs, reaches 7–8 centimeters. It usually has a brownish-gray coloration with dark spots and stripes, which allows it to camouflage well in nature.
Despite its large size and formidable appearance, this spider does not pose a mortal danger to humans. However, its bite is painful and can cause swelling, redness, and a burning sensation, similar to the reaction after a wasp or bee sting. Nevertheless, its venom does not have a neurotoxic effect capable of causing severe systemic consequences. However, the reaction to a bite can be individual, so if unpleasant symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Tarantulas mainly lead a nocturnal and hidden lifestyle. They dig deep burrows in the ground, sometimes with an almost vertical entrance, and line them with cobwebs. Their main food is insects, but they can also hunt small rodents and lizards. During the warm season, especially in the evening and at night, tarantulas can be found in open areas, in fields and meadows, and sometimes near human dwellings.
Tatyana Shilina, a chemistry and biology teacher at Khoiniki Secondary School No. 2 named after Ivan Shavrei, noted that the South Russian tarantula is a completely natural inhabitant of Polesia. It plays an important role in the local ecosystem by regulating the number of harmful insects. The spider is active during the warm season, mainly at dusk and at night. Its burrows can reach half a meter in depth, which helps it survive unfavorable conditions.
According to the teacher, despite its rather formidable appearance, the tarantula is not aggressive and only attacks humans when it feels an immediate threat and is defending itself.
Comments
Цікава, а што з іншымі, ці ёсьць у нас трутныя павукі, здольныя несьці пагрозу жыцьцю чалавека ?
Геапалітычныя бойка за тарантула =) :
- čeština: Slíďák tatarský
- polski: Tarantula ukraińska
- русский: Южнорусский тарантул
Я буду салідарны з палякамі і тарантула буду называць УКРАІНСКІМ альбо ТАТАРСКІМ. А [Рэд. Выдалена] няхай ідзе за сваім ваенным караблём.
[Зрэдагавана]