Tarantula in Texas seen ‘swimming' in 'terrifyingly cool' viral video
(FOX News) -- In an odd and fascinating sighting, officials with the Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas captured an eight-legged creature "swimming" across a small body of water: a tarantula.
"Did you know that tarantulas can 'swim?' With their legs acting as paddles, they can row across water," the park captioned a Wednesday Facebook video, which already has more than 3,000 shares and 270,000 views. While the video doesn't show if the hastily moving spider made it across successfully, the Big Bend Ranch State Park confirmed that it did, explaining the tarantula used the "current to help drift to the shore"
"That is terrifyingly cool," one woman commented on the video.
VIDEO: Tarantula spotted swimming in pool of water at Texas park
"They really are quite magnificent and gentle. Don't kill it; leave it alone and it will leave you alone," another woman wrote.
"This is way on the top of the list of spider nightmares!!!" a third added.
These arachnids typically only take to water when forced, such as being chased or falling in. Tarantulas are likely able to detect they're in water through hygroreceptors on their legs, which can also detect humidity, according to a researcher with the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
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