Spiders Take Over Indian Town of Sadiya

I

t's like that movie Arachnophobia come true: the Indian town of Sadiya, located in the northeastern state of Assam, has been swarmed by deadly, poisonous spiders that no one seems to know the origin of.

The initial attack took place on May 8th, during a cultural celebration, and as the spiders crawled onto the scene, attendees trampled one another trying to escape their (figurative) web. Since then, dozens of people have reported spider bites, and at least two people have died. Residents have been asked to stay inside at night—when the spiders emerge from hiding.

"Whatever the species, it is a highly aggressive spider," said Dr. Ratul Rajkhowa. "It leaps at anything that comes close."

Okay, YUCK.

Moving on.

Dr. L.R. Saikia of the Life Sciences department at Dibrugarh University saidm "As of now, we cannot give it a specific name. It's similar to the tarantula, but it could be a whole new species."

Another doctor, Dr. Ratul Rajkhowa of Cotton College thinks the spider might be a "black wishbone" or a family member of the "funnel-web spider," both of which are typically found, well, nowhere near Assam.

"Whatever the species, it is a highly aggressive spider. It leaps at anything that comes close. Some of the victims claimed the spider latched onto them after biting."

Some bite victims have unfortunately made their situations worse, though, going to witch doctors instead of medical doctors. But some say that even going to a medical doctor doesn't promise anything—since Assam has never been home to any venomous spiders, the state doesn't have any experience with poisonous bites, and because the venom's effects remain a mystery, no antidote can be given yet.

Have fun sleeping tonight!