“I am a crazy spider lady,” Caitlin Henderson says. As a specialist in the creatures, she has always been captivated by arachnids. Henderson has authored scientific papers, managed live spiders in Brisbane museums, and opened her home to over 50 of them when the Queensland Museum closed during lockdown. Now she’s encouraging others to overcome their fears by busting myths through her comedic educational platform She’s Got Legs.
“I work with stuff that people hate,” Henderson says. Unlike many people who grew up learning to be scared of or repulsed by bugs, she was raised by a family who was fascinated by them. “There’s so much amazing stuff to find out,” she says. “It’s incredible what’s going on out there.” Henderson travels across Australia in search of spiders and other invertebrates to record and share on YouTube and Instagram. From redback and peacock spiders to the Sydney Funnel-web spider, the world’s deadliest, Henderson creates vlogs to talk viewers through details such as their purpose in the environment, mating patterns, and diet. “The intention of the platform is to use humour and knowledge to help people become more aware and less afraid of the wildlife that’s all around them,” she says.
Henderson expanded her cause by co-developing the Spidentify app through the conservation enterprise Minibeast Wildlife. Users can learn the process of identifying spiders, find out to what extent their bite is dangerous, and discover their habits. Henderson has featured nearly 300 spiders on the app, creating an archive of arachnids. By sharing her passion for these creatures, she has delivered a vital web of spider knowledge. “I’m proud of the work I do today because it helps change people’s minds about the environment that they live in,” Henderson says.
Footage and photos by Caitlin Henderson were used in the creation of this film.
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