If our readers are anything like us, there’s a good chance you’d rather spend the night with a crocodile than a spider! There’s something about the legs and the swiftness of their movements that has us running from any room in which we find one. But, it might be time to face that fear with the threat of these new invasive spiders in Maine. Scientists have begun warning the eastern seaboard about the Joro spider, a large spider with roots in Asia. They’ve been spotted in Florida and Georgia, but with weather changes, they could be headed north.

Known officially as the Trichonephila clavata or the Joro spider, they're large and in-charge. They can get to be the size of a human palm.
Christina Butler from Georgia, United States, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
While they might sound unexpected, they've actually become more prevalent over the years and it sounds like it might be time for Mainers to get used to them!
washuugenius / Flickr
They're common in Asia and over the last few years we've seen an invasion in southeast parts of the United States.
The Nature Box, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
You'll be able to spot a Joro spider by looking for their distinctive large, thick, golden-colored web. Female adults are the most noticeable with an abdomen that can grow as large as a human thumb. Males are much smaller. Can you spot the male in this photo?
Neil Dalphin / Flickr

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If you've already heard about these spiders you might be familiar with their "parachuting" abilities. This refers to the fact that the males and younger spiders can float through the air on their silky strands. In fact, they have been known to travel up to 100 miles this way!
gpwitteveen / Flickr
Females are typically too heavy to travel this way, so you're unlikely to find a palm-sized spider floating your way any time soon.
macleaygrassman / Flickr
While it's easy to see them and be frightened, they really don't pose much of a threat. While they're mildly venomous their fangs are too small to puncture human skin and they're not aggressive unless scared.
Denis Zabin / Flickr
Like most spiders, these creatures help those of us who fear bugs as they consume things like mosquitos and stinkbugs.
DKosig / iStock / Getty Images Plus
So, if you find yourself face-to-face with one it's a good idea to simply take a look and continue on your way. You might even come to appreciate them!

Have you seen any of these creepy crawlers in your neck of the woods in Maine? Let us know in the comments so we can make plans not to visit!

Not all bugs are to be feared. In fact, some are downright beautiful. If you agree you’ll want to plan a day trip to Maine’s magical butterfly house!

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