Newly discovered 8-eyed tarantula, cryptic snake among nightmarish animal species

The stuff of nightmares has been discovered recently: a 3-foot "cryptic" snake that lurks in marshes and a new kind of eight-eyed tarantula with the demeanour of "Satan."

According to a report published this week in ZooKey, scientists found the bizarre hairy spider in the mountains of central and western Ecuador in 2021 while searching for new species of tree spiders.

The spider, known by its official name "Psalmopoeus satanas", or "Satan tarantula", because of its unusually "bad temperament," was hiding beneath a bamboo tree but would not surrender easily.

According to the study, the arachnid made vain attempts to elude the researchers and sought to escape with "quick sporadic movements, nearly too fast to see."

Scientists identified the creature as belonging to a completely new species after bringing it back to the lab and observing its distinct physical characteristics.

The Psalmopoeus genus contains venomous species.

According to the study, the dangers that the ecology of the spider species is currently facing, including illegal mining and the agriculture industry, warrant it being classified as "critically endangered." 

According to studies, it inhabits the Andes mountains between 2,800 and roughly 3,100 feet in elevation.