Jenna Palmer and her son had an impromptu home school lesson with a (not-so) scary giant spider last week.
The family have moved to Whakamārama and recently visited Puketoki Reserve for the first time.
It was there they saw “the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life”, Jenna says, on the rocks next to the waterfall.
“It’s a miracle we didn’t step on it as it was so well camouflaged,” she says.
Jenna is not one for creepy crawlies, but says she didn’t feel scared of the fishing spider.
“It felt like I was a visitor in its home and being so far away from the city, it just felt normal to see such a giant spider in this kind of environment.”
It is thought to be of the Dolomedes species, also known as the water or fishing spider, which lives and hunts along riverbanks.
The species are predators of invertebrates, insects and possibly small fish. The largest spiders of the species can reach up to 75mm in leg span.
Thankfully, they are timid and tend to stay clear of humans.
“I felt an appreciation for this creature and after doing some research, we discovered it has an important place in the ecosystem, just like all plants and living creatures.
“It was a great opportunity to teach my son, whom I homeschool, and we look forward to returning to the reserve often for exercise and teaching opportunities in nature.”
Puketoki Reserve is in Leyland Rd, Whakamārama. The walk has a short (20 minutes) and long loop (one hour).
Crews are monitoring and mopping up hot spots this morning.