A tourist visiting the Dominican Republic was horrified when they took a shortcut through their hotel and spotted a creature they wished they hadn’t had to confront
A tourist has shared the horrifying creature they came across after taking a ‘shortcut’ through their hotel. The disgruntled holidaymaker took to TikTok to share a video of their find as they made their way to the tennis courts of the Dominican Republic hotel they were staying at.
They claimed they had found a quicker way down the stairs to the courts, but as they made their way, they came across a large spider they weren’t expecting to see. Captioning the clip, he said: “The last time we take a shortcut to tennis courts.” In the video, the spider could be seen running down the flight of stairs.
People were quick to comment on the clip, sharing in the TikToker’s horror. “I’m screaming why is it so fast?!!!” one wrote.
Another added: “That’s AI right????!”
Meanwhile a third chimed in: “I’ve been a few times and not once seen a spider of any kind thankgod.”
“NEVER! Not me thinking it was a TOY!”
However, others were quick to point out that the people in the video weren’t the only ones who seemed afraid.
“I HATE HATE spiders but why does it look scared,” one wrote.
Another added: “no omg I hate spiders but I feel so bad.”
“Please don’t hurt them he’s scared,” said a third.
“It’s petrified, and trying to get away to survive,” someone else agreed.
“I am the biggest arachnophobic [sic] and you got me feeling sorry for a spider,” another commenter agreed.
The Dominican Republic is home to more than 500 species of spider, many of which are venomous. It is unclear what species this spider is or whether it was dangerous.
The Hispaniolan giant tarantula is one such species, but they don’t tend to fatally attack humans unprovoked, according to Dominican Today. “Although it can shed stinging hairs from its abdomen to keep predators away, it uses its sharp fangs almost exclusively for hunting, injecting venom into the prey that paralyzes it and breaks down the tissue,” the website states.
“The bite is painful, although, in humans, it can be a dry bite so as not to waste its poison and is not generally harmful. They would instead run than fight so leave them be, and you’ll be fine.
“They are docile, non-aggressive, and make excellent pets if one knows how to care for and handle them.”
The country also boasts venomous snakes, scorpions, frogs and even centipedes.