Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

Current Events and Musings => News of the Day => Topic started by: WhiskeyGirl on October 30, 2008, 12:51:05 PM



Title: Giant spider snapped eating bird in backyard near Cairns
Post by: WhiskeyGirl on October 30, 2008, 12:51:05 PM
Giant spider snapped eating bird in backyard near Cairns

Quote
THIS amazing image of a mammoth spider devouring a bird was taken in the backyard of a property near Cairns.

The image, which is being cirulated via email worldwide, is real, according to wildlife experts, The Cairns Post reported.

The photo, believed to have been taken earlier this week, shows the spider clenching its legs around a lifeless bird trapped in a web at a property near Atherton, west of Cairns.

Joel Shakespeare, the head spider keeper at NSW's Australian Reptile Park, has told ninemsn the spider was a golden orb weaver.

"Normally they prey on large insects, it's unusual to see one eating a bird," he said.

Mr Shakepeare said he had seen Golden Orb Weaver spiders as big as a human hand but the northern species in tropical areas were known to grow larger.


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24540399-5009760,00.html (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24540399-5009760,00.html)

There is a picture on the site and more here -

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/10/23/11601_local-news.html (http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/10/23/11601_local-news.html)

http://tools.cairns.com.au/photo_gallery/photo_gallery_popup.php?category_id=3825 (http://tools.cairns.com.au/photo_gallery/photo_gallery_popup.php?category_id=3825)