tarantula

"In total, 472 exotic animals have been seized, including leopard tortoises, spurred tortoises, Mediterranean tortoises, iguanas, geckos of different varieties, tarantulas and Nile monitor lizards, among others," said a Civil Guard statement.

This is the night of the lustful tarantula — and it’s filled with peril.

If you suffer from arachnophobia, this is the time of year when you’re most likely to run into one of your worst nightmares: a tarantula.

The South Carolina license plate on the Honda stopped in front of me at a red light, and its silhouette of the state’s signature palm looking regrettably like a tarantula atop a swizzle stick.

You can see more of her work on Instagram @tarantula_garden and on her website kimgaeta.com.