In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the Joro spider, an invasive species from East Asia that has quickly spread throughout the Southeastern United States. While some headlines sensationalize them as "giant venomous" creatures, the hosts clarify that, although they are large and do have venom, their bites are relatively harmless—similar to a bee sting. These spiders create incredibly strong webs, and their rapid growth can be attributed to a lack of natural predators and plenty of food. The hosts recommend against killing them, noting that their ecological impact is still uncertain and doesn't seem to be significantly harmful.
