https://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/travel-outdoors/article/Video-of-swimming-tarantula-at-Big-Bend-Ranch-13357795.php
Video of 'swimming' tarantula at Big Bend Ranch spooks Texans
By S. M. Chavey, mySA.com / San Antonio Express-News
Updated 11:17 am CDT, Friday, November 2, 2018
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shared a video of a tarantula "swimming" at Big Bend Ranch on Halloween. The video quickly garnered thousands of views on social media. The tarantula is pictured above.
Photo: Courtesy Of Texas Parks And Wildlife Department
Apparently, tarantulas can swim.
On Halloween, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department posted a video to social media of a tarantula "swimming" across some water in West Texas. The video quickly garnered views and attention. Many people recoiled. Others showed support for the spider.
"Awww HAIL NAW... U gotta burn the whole park now," one Instagram user said.
"Oh dear God! They're learning! We must stop them before they master doors and then firearms!" another person said on Instagram. A third person asked whether or not the spiders could go up waterspouts.
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Those who were less spooked expressed concern for the hairy spider, which is known to breathe through a small opening in its abdomen. The department confirmed the tarantula did make it to the other side, using its legs as paddles to row across the water.
"Do you promise he made it? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?" one person commented on Instagram.
A second added: "Go, little spooder!! Thank you for posting this, our native arthropods don't get nearly as much love as they should."
The video was taken at Big Bend Ranch State Park, but the spiders can be found all over Texas. Though their bites are venomous and can be painful, they do not typically cause lasting harm to humans.
S. M. Chavey is a breaking news and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | @smchavey