First Impressions: giant butterfly; baby snake & lizard; and tarantulas!
Giant butterfly
This butterfly came into our house and revisited us a few days later – looking somewhat storm-worn.
I’m not actually sure if it’s a butterfly or a moth. Please tell me what it is if you know!! Locals say if it comes into your house you are going to hear about a death. ??? !!!!
Baby snake & lizard
Some days later, in the same bathroom where the butterfly landed, a little snake, only 10 cm long, tied itself in knots wriggling and squirming across the slippery ceramic floor. Likewise, a very tiny lizard sought sanctuary below the sink. Both met a swift end when our housekeeper spotted them.
Tarantulas
Recently, we observed three of these massive, hairy, black tarantulas at close range near, at and in our house!! Each appeared to be at least 15 cm across and about 10 cm high. Here they are appropriately called ‘caranguejos’ (crabs).
ones we have seen but this one is similar.
It wasn't a pleasant experience to view this first thing in the morning, cowering in a corner under the bathroom sink, close to where I had been standing with bare feet a few minutes earlier!
I am told they are relatively harmless. The sting is similar to that of a bee. The hairs are used as the basis of itching powder. They don’t have a brain but instead have two clumps of neurones.
As they can move at a great speed, the most common method of disposal is to spray them with alcohol and set them on fire. Quite a cruel death – I think.
Ivonete’s advice is to always check below, behind and inside the toilet before you sit down!! She remembers one crawling out of the water…………. ………..!!!!
Enough said !!
