Amblypygids everywhere?

Here’s a happy story: people are finding whip spiders, or amblypygids, in all kinds of unexpected places. The point is that you can find all kinds of wondrous things in nature, if you just know to look for them. Wouldn’t it be cool to open a cupboard and find one of these looking at you?

(OK, below the fold because apparently some people would react with horror.)

I would be thrilled. It’s not likely, though, since I live so far north — they prefer tropical and subtropical environments, and we aren’t that. But still, I can dream of turning over a log and finding one of these, can’t I?

By the way, they may look kind of scary, but amblypygids are non-venomous. Apparently those massive palps are strong and spiky enough to pierce the skin, but it’s just a little pinprick, a small price to pay for capturing one of these magnificent animals.