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Are there spiders, centipedes, snakes,
or scorpions on Ko Samui?
Yes! But, you likely
won't see anything but spiders in the bushes and trees.
There's not much to
worry about if you're on vacation in Ko Samui.
 We have only seen a few
spiders, and they are the type that you see in this
picture. Yes, they are large. But, they are only outdoors. Most of
the time they are found HIGH up in the trees or in the telephone
wires on the tops of hills where there is a lot of wind.
The spider in this photo is about 4 inches (10 cm) at the longest
point - legspan. They only grow another inch bigger than this (from
what we've seen). These spiders are very calm and don't jump out of
the web to attack you, nor did we ever even disturb one by being
very close and getting photos even 2 inches away from it with a
flash! Yes, we have other close photos taken on some hikes to the
waterfalls.
The other good news is that we've only seen 2 or 3 other kinds of
spiders on hikes to many waterfalls both in Ko Samui and in nearby
Surat Thani town. Those spiders were smaller and dark and again -
they are nothing to worry about. There are no brown recluse or black
widows here.
There are some tarantula type spiders but even after being here over
2 years AND hiking in the woods looking for snakes and turning over
every big stump or rock that I can find - I've never seen a
tarantula. They burrow into the ground and are good about staying
there if there are humans around.
Inside the houses and hotels you might find one of a couple types of
spider. The biggest could be 3 inches in leg span and it likes to
hide in shoes. That is where I seem to find them. Check your shoes
to make sure you don't have any guest in there before putting your
shoes on. I always shake my shoes and smack them together to see
what comes out before I put them on. That goes for sandals that you
can't see into also - as that is where I found my last spider.
The other two types of spiders are the very small almost
undetectable Daddy Long-leg type spiders that are totally harmless.
The other one is a small fast jumping spider that I usually kill
when I see just because they jump and I don't like that idea. :)
The worst thing you have fear when coming to Ko Samui is the
mosquito! Bring with you good spray lotion that covers you in a fine
mist - better than using your hand to wipe cream into your skin. The
sprays work well. The mosquitoes bite from 6am to 8 am and then after
5:45 pm or so. Keep your doors closed at night unless you have
screens. The citronella and other incense type bug deterrents work
ok, but the bug spray for your skin works the best. I use DEET
28 level and it's still not enough as the mosquitoes still find a
sweet spot to bite.
There is Malaria, Dengue fever and some other things here that are
transmitted by mosquito. You'd be wise to cover up with bug spray
when exposed. Do not worry excessively as over 2 years I've only
known 2 people to get Dengue fever - and I KNOW a LOT of people
because I teach in a government school and the two were students.
Ko Samui Maps >
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