Arachnophobes look away now! Horrifying moment dozens of huntsman eggs hatch in Aussie’s bedroom will give you spider nightmares
This is the horrific moment dozens of hunter's eggs hatch in an Australian's bedroom.
Kristy Griffin, 28, from Greendale, New South Wales, said huntsman spiders always gave her the creeps so she was terrified to spot one lurking outside her bedroom window.
But it wouldn't be long before the heavily pregnant arachnid found its way inside, bringing with it a giant group of offspring just days after hatching.
You see the spiders emerging from a sticky egg sac on the inside of the window, like something straight out of a horror movie, as the huge hunter stands guard, before later appearing to devour part of the egg sac.
The skua – one of the largest spider species in the world – had found its way between the inner and outer layers of Kristy's sash windows.
The huntsman spider stands guard behind its offspring next to the sticky egg sac in Australia
Kristy Griffin, 28, from Greendale, New South Wales, said huntsman spiders always gave her the creeps so she was terrified to spot one lurking outside her bedroom window
You can see the spiders emerging from the sticky egg sac like something straight out of a horror movie, as the huge hunter stands guard, before later appearing to devour part of the egg sac.
Kristy said: 'I was sh****** myself! Huntsman have always made me nervous because of the speed at which they move – they give me the heebie-jeebies.
'I first saw the spider when she was still outside, just in the top corner of my bedroom window.
'Actually I thought it was a micro bat at first because she was heavily pregnant, she was huge!
'I jokingly said to my mother, 'I hope she doesn't come into my room overnight.
“Well, the next morning I opened my curtain and there she was.”
But Kristy, a free-range chicken farmer, didn't have the heart to let her out.
She said: 'At first I wanted to move her but then I felt bad because she would probably get eaten by a bird outside.
“So she made her egg sac and I started educating myself about huntsman spiders so I could take care of my new roommate and not be so scared.
'I sprayed the window next to her daily and was careful not to get her eggs wet so she could have a drink if she needed it.
'Other than that I just left her alone, I didn't want to stress her out.'
The hunter next to the egg sac. The huntsman – one of the largest spider species in the world with a wingspan of up to 30 centimeters – had found its way between the inner and outer layers of Kristy's sash windows
Kristy continued, “I was nervous and still am a little bit. I keep imagining my room being overrun by galloping giants, or waking up in the morning with a giant in my face or something.
'But I managed to overcome my fear by educating myself, and I learned how fascinating they really are.
“I still get nervous when they move fast.”
Needless to say, Kristy's decision caused some controversy at home.
She said: 'My parents live with me and my father wasn't too happy.
“My mother was a little more understanding because neither of us like killing things. I have a soft spot for all critters that are considered unlovable.”
You can see the egg sac bubbling on the inside of Kristy's window as the spiders begin to hatch. Dozens of them then pop up in scenes likely to cause nightmares for arachnophobes
Kristy has been told that the spiders are social hunters.
The social huntsman, or Delena cancerides, is part of the Sparassidae family, which includes the world's largest spider by leg span: the giant huntsman.
Social hunters are also enormous – they can reach a wingspan of almost eight inches – and they can lay around two hundred eggs in their egg sacs.
Kristy said: “They can stay with their babies for six months after they hatch.
'This way I can watch them grow up and in the meantime they can catch flies and mosquitoes for me, unless they decide to move on.'
Now Kristy is encouraging others not to fear the giant spiders, even if they have dozens of babies in tow.
She said, 'If you don't want it there, just move it, otherwise let it do its thing.
'They are fantastic insect catchers and usually stay away from you. Moreover, they are fascinating to watch when they catch something.'
She continued, “The key to overcoming a fear is the education I have found. Most of the time you are afraid of the unknown.
'All the creatures are just trying to survive, going about their day and have as much right as we do to be here.'