18 January 2023 , 17:00
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Nerve-wracking images capture the scene as “at least 100” of some of Earth's largest spiders are found nesting in a bloke’s car.
Craig Baulderstone, from Adelaide, South Australia, made the gruesome discovery when he went to do some work on his rally car ahead of a new racing season.
Photos taken by Craig show an egg sac bursting with spiders in the door of his Mercedes.
Sharing his images online, Mr Baulderstone soon learned that his car had become home to a cluster of huntsman spiders – one of the largest arachnids on Earth.
He said: “The car is actually a rally car that had been sitting since end of season last year and I opened the door to do some work on it.
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Craig's car which had been found to contain "at least 100" spiders (Credit: Craig Baulderstone/Pen News)“They were near the door lock mechanism and outside of the rubber dust seal, which would largely prevent them getting inside.
“Although it is not uncommon for adults to find their way in somehow.
“I guess there must have been at least 100 all up.”
Unnervingly, the mother spider was nowhere to be seen.
“I didn’t see the adult there, but experts suggest they don’t hang around,” said Craig.
The huntsman does have a venomous bite but it's not considered harmful to humans. However, it can cause pain and swelling (Credit: Craig Baulderstone/Pen News)Predictably, Mr Baulderstone’s photos inspired arachnophobia for some.
“You should probably go shopping for a new car,” wrote one person, “they own your car now.”
“That’s a lot of huntsmen to suddenly fall out when you lower the sun visor one day,” said another.
“So many legs,” exclaimed one queasy commenter.
Craig Baulderstone, whose car was infested with the arachnids (Credit: Craig Baulderstone/Pen News)But others thought the nest was a wonder to behold – including Craig.
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“Excitement would be best description,” the retired ecologist said.
“I very carefully closed the door again and went and got the wife and kids to see.
“I took photos and carefully closed the door again, and found another job to do so I could leave them in peace to disperse. I checked back in two days and they were all gone.
“I feel privileged to have caught them in that snapshot in time, but also knowing that this is happening all around me, under bits of bark etc.”
Craig, 59, added that cars and houses were not a great habitat for spiders, and that they’d often find their own way out.
He said: “I fear spiders – and snakes for that matter – a lot less than I fear people.
“They never set out to hurt you and their behaviour is much more predictable. Their aim is to eat and breed.
“There is beauty in everything, even spiders, which also make great bird food if you love birds more. Squashing them is a waste!”