Jba Fofi
Encyclopedia
The J'ba Fofi also known as the Congolese Giant Spider is a cryptozoological
creature that is said to exist in the Congo
, possibly representing a new species of arachnid
. It is considered a cryptid
and only in recent years has received publicity.
The J'ba Fofi is described as having a brownish body similar to that of a tarantula
, with a legspan of four to six feet. Juvenile versions possess yellow coloring that turns brown as they grow older.
English researcher William Gibbons
. There have however been other accounts.
travelled to the Amazon
to investigate reports of giant spiders in the June 13th episode of Man V Monster. At a remote village he was informed that giant spiders lived in holes deep within the jungle and measured roughly four feet in diameter.
natives as weaving lairs made of leaves and spinning a circular web between two trees. The animals are said to prey upon birds, duiker, and other small game animals. The Baka told Gibbons that these spiders are now rare due to dwindling habitat.
Cryptozoology
Cryptozoology refers to the search for animals whose existence has not been proven...
creature that is said to exist in the Congo
Congo Basin
The Congo Basin is the sedimentary basin that is the drainage of the Congo River of west equatorial Africa. The basin begins in the highlands of the East African Rift system with input from the Chambeshi River, the Uele and Ubangi Rivers in the upper reaches and the Lualaba River draining wetlands...
, possibly representing a new species of arachnid
Arachnid
Arachnids are a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals in the subphylum Chelicerata. All arachnids have eight legs, although in some species the front pair may convert to a sensory function. The term is derived from the Greek words , meaning "spider".Almost all extant arachnids are terrestrial...
. It is considered a cryptid
Cryptid
In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in...
and only in recent years has received publicity.
The J'ba Fofi is described as having a brownish body similar to that of a tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantulas comprise a group of often hairy and often very large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. Some members of the same Suborder may also be called "tarantulas" in the common parlance. This article will restrict itself to...
, with a legspan of four to six feet. Juvenile versions possess yellow coloring that turns brown as they grow older.
History
Sightings of the J'ba Fofi have been primarily in Africa and achieved the most recent publicity due to the work of Mokele-MbembeMokèlé-mbèmbé
Mokèlé-mbèmbé, meaning "one who stops the flow of rivers" in the Lingala language, is the name given to a large water-dwelling cryptid found in legends and folklore of the Congo River basin. It is sometimes described as a living creature and sometimes as a spirit. It could be considered loosely...
English researcher William Gibbons
William Gibbons
William Gibbons was an American lawyer and revolutionary from Georgia. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1784.-External links:*...
. There have however been other accounts.
1938: Congo
Reginald and Margurite Lloyd were driving a Ford truck through a trail when they spotted a spider resembling a tarantula crossing the path ahead of them. The creature's legspan was estimated at 3 feet. Their daughter Miss Maurgurite Lloyd would later relate this story in the 1990s to William Gibbons.1942: Papua, New Guinea
An Australian soldier at the Kokoda Trail said that he encountered a puppy-sized spider inhabiting a 10 to 15 foot sized web. It was described with having a bulk body, was black, and hairy like a tarantula.1948: Leesville, Louisiana, United States
William Slaydon and his grandchildren were walking north on Highway 171 to church when he motioned them to stop. After hearing a rustling in the bushes ahead a spider described as being the size of a washtub emerged and crossed the road. One of the grandchildren would later tell this story to his own son, Todd Partain, director of the documentary film "Eyes In The Dark: The Sasquatch Experience."2001: Cameroon
Timbo, chief of the Baka tribe in Cameroon tells Williams Gibbons that in November 2000 a J'ba Fofi had built a nest near their village.2011: Amazon
British cinematographer Richard TerryRichard Terry
Richard Terry may refer to:*Richard Benjamin Terry , Australian cricketer and umpire*Sir Richard Runciman Terry , English organist, choir director and musicologist...
travelled to the Amazon
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
to investigate reports of giant spiders in the June 13th episode of Man V Monster. At a remote village he was informed that giant spiders lived in holes deep within the jungle and measured roughly four feet in diameter.
Habitat and behavior
The spiders are described by BakaBaka
Baka may refer to:in fictional characters* Bākā, a character from Juken Sentai Gekiranger* Baka Rangers, a group of Negima! Magister Negi Magi characters...
natives as weaving lairs made of leaves and spinning a circular web between two trees. The animals are said to prey upon birds, duiker, and other small game animals. The Baka told Gibbons that these spiders are now rare due to dwindling habitat.
External links
- http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/giantspiders/ www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/giantspiders/
- http://english.pravda.ru/science/mysteries/09-08-2010/114542-giant_spiders-0/ english.pravda.ru/science/mysteries/09-08-2010/114542-giant_spiders-0/
- ttp://natgeotv.com/uk/man-v-monster/about/