Covered media day for the Academy of Natural Science’s new Tarantula’s exhibit, which opens to the public on Saturday (Jan. 30).
After waiting out the crowds, a kind spider expert named Karen let me hold one of the critters that apparently freak a whole lot of people out. Here’s how I described it in my PhillyVoice piece:
“It feels exactly like velvet,” she said, accurately, noting that the exhibit won’t be as hands-on as Thursday’s experience since people don’t know they’re allergic to these creatures until they touch them. In extreme cases, people with bee allergies could have a reaction for which an EpiPen would be needed.
It was pretty cool; the spider’s feet didn’t even feel clingy, as they do with other breeds. Just a cool experience all around. (These great photos are from Thom Carroll, PhillyVoice photographer).
