These giant spiders are taking over the US East Coast this summer

The giant joro spider, an invasive species that came to the US from Asia, is expected to make a larger appearance on the country’s east coast this summer.

In a recent study, David Coyle, a scientist and assistant professor at Clemson University, found that the giant spiders are “here to stay” and will be able to “inhabit most of the eastern US” this summer, The Guardian reported.

Photo: Christina Butler/Wikimedia Commons

Unlike other spider species, joro spiders are adapted to the east coast’s climates, which are similar to Japan, where they predominantly hail from, scientists say.

This species has been in the US for at least a decade, first appearing in Georgia after likely arriving to the US in a shipping container, the Washington Post reported.

The joro spider measures 4 inches long and has legs as long as 8 inches (about the size of a human hand).

Photo: CBS News

They also have very colorful and bright bodies, especially the females, with yellow and green stripes, while the males tend to be brown-ish and a bit smaller in size.

Photo: Solitary Thrush/Wikimedia Commons

Although the idea that the more colorful an animal is, the most powerful its venom, is usually accurate, this doesn’t apply to the joro spider.

Scientists say that the species is not deadly or even “medically relevant” for humans or pets. While it does have venom, its bite is just likely to cause an itch, a bit of pain and redness.

Photo: Cynthia Smith/Unsplash

So if you run into one of these shy scary-looking spiders this summer, remember that they aren’t a threat but rather a misunderstood creature.

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Photo: @UntamedScience/X