A spider is currently causing a stir and headlines in Germany: the Nosferatu spider.

And because spiders cause panic in many people, the animals have paralyzed entire supermarkets.

Nosferatu spider, that sounds scary, but next to a big, hairy tarantula it looks almost puny.

"It is often photographed in perspective in such a way that it appears threatening and many people are afraid of meeting the animal," said Peter Klaas, chairman of the German Arachnological Society.

The association invited to an “afternoon with spiders” in the Senckenberg Museum.

Peter Jäger, Head of the Arachnology Section at the Senckenberg Research Institute, welcomed those who were interested, scientists and the "hardcore group with the spider shirts" - the passionate spider lovers.

In addition to T-shirts, the die-hards also wore jewelry in the form of spiders or tattoos of creepy-crawlies.

And many of the guests have one or more of the eight-legged animals at home.

Not to cuddle, of course, but "out of fascination and to observe" - ​​this is how Klaas explains why he bought the unusual pets.

The good things spiders do to humans

"The bigger, the less gross they are," says a spider fan who keeps two of the really large specimens in a terrarium in his living room.

Klaas explains the fascination with what the animals did.

"Without spiders, we would all choke on insects."

In addition, the venom of many spider species can be used medicinally and would save people instead of harming them.

The biochemist and junior research group leader at the Fraunhofer Institute Gießen, Tim Lüddecke, is researching the venom of the spiders and checking whether it can be used for medical purposes.

The poison of the "eight-legged pharmacists" is rarely dangerous for humans and very versatile, which is why it is well suited for the production of medicinal substances, says Lüddecke.

The area is still largely unexplored.

According to Lüddecke, spider venom in a modified form could be used against malaria, the consequences of strokes or as a painkiller.

As an all-clear for all those who do not share the fascination of arachnologists and fans for spider fans: According to Klaas, the large tarantulas will probably never exist in Germany: "They don't survive a winter here, no matter how mild it is", says Klaas.

However, we would have to get used to the Nosferatu spider.

Due to global warming, the species will be permanently found in Germany.