Ju Vilanova and her partner are no strangers to wildlife. Living near the lush forests of Garopaba, Brazil, they often spend their days hiking through trails, chasing waterfalls, and spotting everything from snakes to lizards to colorful birds.
“It’s a magical place,” Vilanova said. “There’s nature everywhere — and always something new to see.”
But even with all their experience exploring the forest, nothing could have prepared them for what they witnessed on a recent hike.
While making their way to a favorite waterfall, the couple noticed a massive tarantula strolling along the water’s edge. Her size alone was enough to catch their attention.
“We were enchanted by her,” Vilanova said. “She was so big and beautiful.”
Curious, they leaned in for a better look — and that’s when the spider did something extraordinary.
Without hesitation, the tarantula dipped her legs into the water and then suddenly began to swim – showing off a skill Vilanova was unaware these spiders possess.
She caught the moment on video:
“I screamed, ‘My God, she’s swimming!’” Vilanova recalled. “We were amazed by how fast she was. It was surreal!”
With all eight legs moving in perfect rhythm, the spider glided across the pool beneath the waterfall, effortlessly reaching the other side before climbing up the rocks and continuing her journey as if nothing unusual had happened.
The hikers, however, were left completely awestruck.
“We kept watching, and she climbed the rocks [on the opposite shore] and continued on her way,” Vilanova said, adding that she was left filled with wonder having learned something new about what these spiders can do:
“I felt like a happy 7-year-old child,” Vilanova said. “The connection with animals here is so strong — it feels like living in a dream. Nature is always full of surprises.”
