Lampona cylindrata

It had been business as usual on the nursery last week, up until Thursday anyway. I was trying to think what to write up on the old bloggy but what with extremely annoying car trouble and the final push before Christmas at work I hadn’t been anywhere or done very much. Luckily Thursday night solved that minor problem with a visit from a most unwelcome guest.

White tails are one of New Zealands most vicious spiders. Somehow finding their way over from Australia they have a bite that is so poisonous it requires the infected area to be cut out and severe cases amputation of digits.

So imagine my surprise when I feebly called to Richard asking if what I had found in my room was one of the famous white tipped blighters. His reply was “yes” as he raced in with a container ready to catch the thing. In hindsight I probably should have kept quiet and removed the spider myself because Richard panicked, dropped the container on the floor and all of a sudden there was nothing to be seen.

I turned my room upside down, trying to find it. Cautiously shaking cloths and lifting the bed meticulously examining each nook and cranny with a torch. Alas I didn’t find the little bugger. I was debating whether to sleep on the sofa or risk it in my room. I am not afraid of spiders but the thought of spending the night with this thing was making me feel slightly uneasy.

I decided to risk it tucking my trousers into my socks and wearing long sleeves I sealed myself under my duvet. It got too hot so I found a lighter blanket. That got too cold. And so the night was spent tossing and turning trying to find the safest most comfortable way to sleep. Eventually I gave in and exposed my head to the world. It was a they say more scared of me than I am of it and even if did bite it would only be in self defence.
So that was Thursday.

Today is Saturday and so far I have seen neither hide nor white tail of the beastie!