Man horrified after asking people what small hole is in his back garden
A man appealed for answers after discovering a mysterious hole in his garden, but you have to wonder how he felt after discovering what it really is.
Some things you might just be better off not knowing, really.
The hole in the garden is small – about the size of a coin – and circular, so you might have started to work out what we’re dealing with here.
How about if we then give you the most important piece of context?
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We’re dealing with Australia here.
Yes, Australia, where you’re never that far away from something that could kill you, maim you, or leave you stricken in some sort of a way.
Even the plants are out to get you.
In this instance, it’s unlikely to be a plant.
Asking the question online, the man wrote: “I’m in Adelaide Hills - can someone tell me what lives in here?”
Opinions were divided on exactly what lives down in the dark hole, but most people seem to agree that it’s definitely a spider of some sort.
Most believed it to be the home of a trapdoor spider, a venomous wee creature that is known to live in small holes in gardens and on the ground, burrowing into the floor and awaiting prey, as the name suggests.
Others believe it could be the home of a wolf spider.
They also live in holes on the floor, and could realistically be found in this part of the world.
According to the Australia Museum, either of these spiders could live in the hole, as the small opening doesn’t have a ‘door’ over it.
Both species of spider are known to create holes in the floor without doors to live in.
One person commented: “That is probably a burrow of a trapdoor spider,
“Most of them don't really build doors.”
Another said: “There are thousands of these holes in the park across from my house - they're all trapdoor spiders.
“I get a kick whenever I see people sunbathing or sitting on the grass, blissfully unaware of the horror sitting below them.”
However, there were others who were convinced it was the other type of spider.
“Absolutely a lycosidae spider burrow (wolf spider),” they said.
“Unfortunately trapdoors are on the decline, the vast majority of burrows you find (everywhere from in your lawn to in native bush land) will be wolf spider burrows.”
Still, the consensus seems to be that it’s some sort of spider hole, which is great.
Luckily, neither of these spiders are ones that you would really have to worry about, especially in Australia.
Whilst both can bite, they aren’t likely to be fatal to humans, as the trapdoor spider, though venomous, would only cause some mild swelling to a human.
As for the wolf spider, that would only make you a bit itchy.
Still, best to avoid getting bitten by any spiders, isn’t it?
Tom Wood