Invasion in Carinthia

Rare spider species keeps Carinthian towns on tenterhooks

The Nosferatu spider is also on the rise in Carinthia. (symbolic image)

(Bild: Christian Komposch/Ökoteam)

Rare immigrants are currently making themselves at home in apartments in Carinthia's provincial capital. A young student discovered a specimen and lovingly looked after "Nosti" before the eight-legged creature was taken to the Happ reptile zoo.

While some people are panicking, others are caring for the eight-legged immigrants. Like Marie-Kristin Cameron Lendler. "I saw them crawling at the window out of the corner of my eye and was naturally scared at first because of their size," says the Villach native (22), who studies and lives in Klagenfurt, to the "Krone" newspaper. But somehow the spider also looked familiar to her: "I remembered a TikTok video from Germany about a new species of spider that I had seen. Then I did some research on the internet and discovered it to be a Nosferatu spider." A species whose markings on its front body resemble a black and white vampire skull (hence Nosferatu; Romanian for vampire).

In Carinthia for two years
"They come from west-central Europe and are mainly native to France and Spain. Non-toxic, non-aggressive - a bite is like a gel sting. The first reports were only made in Carinthia around two years ago," says Helga Happ, head of the reptile zoo of the same name in Klagenfurt.

Marie-Kristin Cameron Lendler and her "Nosti" (in the background in a jar).

(Bild: zVg)

However, the expert reports a curious fact to the "Krone": "Apart from one report, all the others come from Klagenfurt, specifically from Waidmannsdorf. In the past two days alone, more than 15 tenants from here have called about a Nosferatu." Just like Marie-Kristin, who spent the whole night looking after the spider, which was locked up in a grape container with air holes, regularly checking on it and carrying it to Helga Happ in the morning.

"That was a very stressful ten-minute walk. I didn't want to lose her, I didn't want anything to happen to her. 'Nosti' and I have practically formed a bond. And I will definitely visit her at the reptile zoo." Because this is where Helga Happ is giving her a new home.