Katherine residents in outback Northern Territory have filmed a gecko in the grips of a deadly spider’s large fangs.
Chris Whiting and his 17-year-old son discovered the outback creepy crawly gorging on its unfortunate prey beneath their veranda earlier this week.
Cleaning up building rubbish on his property near Donkey Camp, Mr Whiting said he had seen these spiders before, but never this big and definitely not while in the middle of a feast.
“I’ve never seen that in my life,” he said.
Mr Whiting, one of two cabinet makers in Katherine, called over his neighbour and cabinet-making rival, Jeff Usher, who couldn’t quite cope with the sight.
“He came over, had one look and ran away a bit terrified,” Mr Whiting said.
“My son and I, stood by, cool as cucumbers and took a video.”
Katherine NT Parks and Wildlife ranger Clare Pearce said the spider is likely to be a barking spider – a big hairy Australian tarantula that feeds on small birds, frogs, lizards and insects.
She said although it is not common to see these spiders every day in Katherine, they are still around burrowed in the ground, ready to pounce on the next meal.
“They live in burrows and will grab anything that passes by.
“If they get a hold of a critter they’ll knock it back.”
Although a bite to an adult from the giant barking spider isn’t fatal, it is very painful.
The spider injects venom through its hollow fangs to kill their prey.
Not too bothered by the spectacle happening beneath the house, Mr Whiting and his son stood by to have a good look.
Once they had captured video and taken some pictures they left the spider to get on with its meal.
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