Nature's nasties take over museum

Laura Boustead, 10, comes face-to-face with one of the creepy crawlies displayed at the Ouch exhibition at Auckland Museum. Picture / Dean Purcell

Ten-year-old Laura Boustead, of Whangarei, came face to face with a giant tarantula at the new Ouch exhibition at Auckland Museum.

The exhibition, which began on Friday and runs until March 13, features more than 200 displays, ranging from 3D images like the one pictured to real live creepy crawlies in glass cages.

Subtitled "Confronting Nature's Nasties", the exhibition aims to help the squeamish face their fears.

Those who love nature's dark side, however, will likely be thrilled by the exhibition's live contingent of a giant centipede, two tarantulas, leeches, sea lice and bed bugs.

A moray eel will join the lineup as soon as one is caught.

Visitors can put their hands inside a "Touch Tank" to feel starfish, sea cucumbers and sea eggs.

Television displays show close-ups of prickles going into feet and a mosquito feeding. Wild animals killing prey also appear.

A large katipo spider puppet tricks children into thinking it is lifeless, but those who get too close are in for a scare when it moves.

An "Ouch Meter" tells visitors which of nature's nasties are the most dangerous.

Creatures with an Ouch reading of 1 do minimal harm to humans. Those with a 10 cause quick death.

Museum spokeswoman Amanda Maclaren said the Ouch Meter helps dispel myths about some creatures being dangerous when they are not.

She said many are surprised to learn that a giant eagle with long talons only scores a 1, because it has never hurt a human.

The display of creatures, such as the tarantulas, that represent potential biohazards has been overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.