One does not have to be in a third-world country to live among the various spider populations. In Guatemala, one often meets up with tarantulas with a leap and a shout. These hairy spiders live everywhere, or at least it seems like it.

I do believe the Theraphosidae family of spiders have received a bad reputation because of the movies depicting them as killers. Truthfully, these timid creatures have venom weaker than a bee’s. I for one am not going to put that to the test, but they are not aggressive beasts.

Several years ago I went to the Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World, and at the entrance stood some young adults holding plastic containers. One could see different kinds of tarantulas, and some of the workers held them in their hands. My insides squirmed as I watched children gently pet the creatures. I realized that if there had been any danger, this would not have been allowed.

Every missionary at Shadow can tell a tarantula story. One fellow, bleary-eyed from an early morning wake-up, looked down at his foot to see an unwanted visitor. Braver than some of us, he grabbed his iPhone to get pictures and put them on Facebook. The Shadow guard disturbed one when he worked up soil around some plants. Before its death, he brought it over to the office for everyone to see. Another missionary found one in front of her house intending to visit inside. She made a quick decision that it would not have entrance. Cyndi Cope has a gift-giving cat, who left her a tarantula where Cyndi would see it. She almost stepped on the hairy creature.

One morning, I took a step into the shower. Seeing a dark spot, I jerked back and took a closer look. Yep, a small tarantula planned to shower with me. My plan for him included his early death.

My curiosity about these creatures took me to the internet, and I discovered some interesting facts.

1. Tarantulas are harmless, docile, and rarely bite people. They are intimidated by the size of people and   will seek a way of escape.

2. They can be as large as a dinner plate or as small as a dime. Any size of this spider can be scary when all their hair makes them seem more significant.

3.  The life span of the female is double that of the males, who can live up to ten years.

4. This arachnid has become a popular pet. Some countries have added them to the menu. (I think I will pass.)

5. They burrow in the ground to make their homes. At night they hunt in trees or on the ground for their food.

6. The parasitic Pepsis wasps are their dreaded enemy.

Hairy spiders are a part of life in Guatemala. Even knowing how harmless they are, I would rather they not live too close to me. My protective instinct would be to kill the small ones and holler for help for anything bigger than a half dollar.