Spider's Dog-Like Face Baffles Internet Users
A spider with facial markings strikingly resembling a pit bull terrier has gone viral on social media, though experts identified it as a tree-stump spider known for its remarkable camouflage abilities.
Online users have been puzzled by a spider with a face remarkably resembling a pit bull terrier, before others identified it as a master of camouflage. On September 17, a member of the Facebook page "What Is This?" — which collects images of oddly-shaped animals — posted a photo asking "What kind of spider is this? It looks like a pit bull pup?" The image shows a brown spider with two pointed protrusions resembling ears and facial features strikingly similar to a pit bull's face. The post sparked widespread comments and shares, with many users identifying the spider as a tree-stump spider. Comments ranged from "so adorable" and "so cute" to questions like "Is it venomous?" and "Where can you find it?" The tree-stump spider belongs to the genus Poltys, commonly called the tree-stump spider, and is known for its exceptional camouflage ability. Its head and abdomen feature patterns and bumps that remarkably resemble the face of an animal or cat.
