Strewth! Photo of spider carrying babies an arachnophobe’s nightmare

Arachnophobes have another reason to bolt their doors and stay away from wildlife after a frightening photo of Wolf Spider carrying its young shared on social media showed just how easily the eight-legged creatures can get around. 

The terrifying image, posted to Facebook by ACT Parks and Conservation Service, sent shivers through many who claimed they will be having nightmares for weeks since learning about the female spider’s habits.

While many animals keep their babies close by after giving birth, many would be surprised to learn that spiders too have maternal instincts, well at least the Wolf Spider does.

According to the post, which has received over 1,000 comments, the loving mother spider carries its babies on its back for days until they are finally ready to part and scuttle out into their world on their own eight legs.

“This wolf spider was spotted on Mt Majura carrying her babies,” the conservation service wrote alongside the frightening photo. “They’ll stay on her back for nearly a week until they’re ready to venture on their own.

“Who would have thought spiders could be so maternal?”

The Wolf Spider carries the eggs of her young on her back using white papery silk shaped like a ball to protect them. Once they hatch, the mother continues to support her young on her back until they jump off to begin their own lives.

The photo of the incredible site has been shared around 500 times with many spider lovers and loathers also sharing their views.

“I would rather let a shark lick my hand then let one of those spiders walk over my hand,” one terrified person wrote.

“Nuclear fire is the only answer,” another added. 

While a third was much more kind to the spider writing: “Anyone who has read Charlotte’s Web would have thought that spiders are maternal”.

Their comments were supported by another who said: “These are truly beautiful spiders and to have her nurture them till they are ready to defend themselves says a lot about mothers”.

Thankfully, although they may look terrifying the Wolf Spiders are much less venomous than other Aussie arachnids such as the Sydney Funnel Web and the Redback.

Symptoms of a bite are usually minor and include restricted to local pain or itchiness. In more severe cases there can be swelling, prolonged pain, dizziness, rapid pulse and nausea.

Gardeners throughout Australia are most likely to come across the spiders as they are commonly found in suburban gardens, from dry inland shrub lands and woodlands to wet coastal forests and alpine meadows.

Have you ever come across a Wolf Spider?