Huge spider clinging to branch above floodwaters identified
The huge spider spotted clutching onto a branch above floodwaters in north Queensland on Sunday and later rescued has been identified.
According to Collections Manager at the Queensland Museum, Owen Seeman, the creepy crawly is a type of Australian tarantula with the scientific name Phlogius Crassipes.
Mr Seeman told Yahoo7 it was not uncommon to find the spiders in parts of north Queensland around areas such as Ingham, however they are not normally above the ground.
"You see their holes around, which are about the size of a 50c piece," he said.
"They rarely come out but the floods may seem them move around, although they can survive underwater for a while".
The original picture and other video clips of the creepy crawly added to a flood-related Facebook page on Sunday were shared widely, with many people shocked by its size and appearance.
In one of the videos a person can be seen placing their hand beside the spider to give viewers an example of its size.
On the same post there is also footage of the branch it is clinging to being moved to dry ground, as the locals hoped to help the spider which had been "holding on for dear life".
Andrea Gofton wrote online, "We put him in the avocado tree near the pharmacy if you want to see him."
