
The horrifying moment baby spiders eat their mother will make you scream
For most people, just the thought of a cluster of spiders crawling on top of each other within a large, entangling web is enough to send a shiver down your spine.
But for David Attenborough and his latest series Parenthood, which explores the trials and tribulations of parenting within the animal kingdom, clearly, that's not enough.
The 99-year-old natural historian seems to be intent on showcasing one of the most nightmarish sequences possible as a 1,000-strong pack of young African social spiders can be seen eating their mothers.
Captured by TV cameras in a never-before-seen moment, the spiders prey in a game of 'grandmother's footsteps' where they freeze in unison like musical statues before eating their elderly relatives.
Attenborough can be heard saying that the 'demands of parenthood are finally taking their toll' on the mothers who offer their body as a 'gift' to their offspring before they depart.
The atmospheric music, toe-curling sound effects and Attenborough's iconic voice combine to create the painstaking moment.
Series producer and director Jeff Wilson described it as 'probably one of the best' sequences he had worked on in 30 years of film-making.
'[I've] never heard Sir David deliver a sequence as good as that… it sort of brings a lump to your throat… he's the master at delivery,' he told the Guardian.
'It makes one feel quite sort of chilled to the bone that you know that your own young could do that. It's an extraordinary behaviour [but] when you step away from it and from the horror of it, it sort of makes sense.'
He added that Attenborough was both 'delighted and horrified' by the groundbreaking footage.
Joking, he also said that 'there will not be a parent of the land who won't turn up to school pickup without snacks ever again'.
This comes after a spectacularly tender moment on Parenthood between a baby gorilla and its mother brought a tear to viewer's eyes earlier this week.
In an exclusive clip, Metro showed a female western lowland gorilla and her newborn baby.
Just moments old, the baby sleeps on his mother's chest surrounded by plants and trees in the jungle.
Narrating, Sir David explains that the mother is a female western lowland gorilla, who's resting on the forest floor as her baby snoozes on her stomach in a scene that would melt even the coldest of hearts. More Trending
The five-part series promises to show viewers never-before-seen animal behaviours while delivering a 'universal message about preserving the natural world.'
Speaking to The Mirror, BBC head of specialist factual commissioning, Jack Bootle, described Parenthood as 'wonderful, warm, engaging, and surprising'.
He said that it is 'made by some of the very best wildlife filmmakers in the world,' adding: 'I'm thrilled Sir David is joining us again to narrate it.'
View More »
Parenthood will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, beginning on August 3 at 7.20pm.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: MasterChef star 'edited out of BBC series' after asking for it to be axed
MORE: BBC gameshow already has fans obsessed and declaring it 'the new Traitors'
MORE: Ncuti Gatwa admits he has one big regret about playing Doctor Who
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Channel 4
2 hours ago
- Channel 4
Artist Anya Paintsil explores race and identity through textiles
Anya Paintsil is an award-winning textile artist of Welsh and Ghanaian heritage, with a new show in North Wales, close to where she grew up. Her art explores themes of race and identity and what she has described as 'points of convergence' between the two cultures. Combining West African art techniques, as well as those learnt from her Welsh grandma, Anya has created an exhibition called Allanol Always, which celebrates African art and explores her own sometimes painful experiences growing up in North Wales.


Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Strictly star Wynne Evans confirms split from fiancée only weeks after proposal
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans has confirmed that he has split from fiancée Liz Brookes – only weeks after popping the question. The Welsh opera singer, 53, began dating events manager Liz, 50, last year, and proposed while on holiday in Morocco this June. Sharing a snap of himself popping the question to a stunned-looking Liz, Wynne announced via Instagram: 'Big news… I got engaged! 💍' Fast-forward a few weeks, and he and Liz have now apparently broken up. Taking to Facebook Live on Saturday morning, he described himself as more 'level-headed' than he'd been in years after 'having been in a bad place or a relationship that's not healthy for me.' Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. 'It's now calm,' he said, seemingly confirming the end of the relationship. Wynne's split from Liz was confirmed by a source for The Daily Mail, who said: 'Wynne and Liz broke off their engagement a few weeks ago.' The publication's source credits the 'pressure' of the new restaurant he has decided to open in his hometown of Carmarthen. He will also be starting his own radio show, set inside the restaurant. The Mail's source continued: 'The pressure of his new business ventures took its toll and they had a big fallout. Initially, there was a belief they would get back together when the ill-feeling died down, as they had split before and managed to patch things up. 'But with Wynne actively trying to date again and going public describing the relationship as 'not healthy', it's safe to say they've split for good this time.' Wynne and Liz first met when he performed at a corporate function for the firm where she worked. She was an audience regular at Strictly, where she watched him perform and cheered him on. They began dating after his divorce from his wife of 17 years, Tanwen Evans, with whom he shared daughter Ismay and son Taliesin. Liz stuck by the Go Compare frontman throughout the scandal which followed his Strictly appearance and live show controversy. They were initially reported to have split after he was caught joking about a 'spit roast' or 'threesome' with Strictly Live presenter and professional dancer Janette Manrana, 41. A source told The Sun that Liz had been 'humiliated by what happened when he was on Strictly'. This insider continued: 'She always knew he was a bit old school, and actually liked the fact he seemed rough round the edges. She just assumed it was all part of his charm.' They added: 'It's not clear exactly when they split, but friends say that when his latest lewd gaffe was revealed at the Strictly Live Tour launch she was relieved they were no longer together.' However, another source later told The Mirror that Liz was 'rallying around' Wynne, leaving him 'appreciative of all the love and support he is getting.' He apologised soon after being dumped from the Strictly Live tour, describing himself as 'deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused.' During an appearance on ITV's This Morning, he described himself at his 'lowest ebb' over the scandal – which also included accusations of 'inappropriately touching' professional dance partner Katya Jones. Wynne and Katya addressed the furore as a 'silly joke' gone wrong, but Wynne was beset with more controversy, first after the 'spit roast' incident, and then again after mucking around with a sex toy in a video with EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick. 'I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people,' he said to hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard. 'I remember saying to my girlfriend, 'I have to kill myself. I have to because this is what they want.' 'You're full of these thoughts the entire time and it takes over your life.' In June, Wynne proposed to Liz while on holiday in Morocco. Announcing the news, he shared: 'This weekend in Morocco, somewhere between the couscous, the camels, and me limping around the souks like a man with no spatial awareness, I proposed to Liz — and she said yes! (No take-backs, I've checked.) 'She's clever, she's kind, she's got excellent taste in men. Absolutely no idea how I pulled that off, but here we are! Feeling very lucky, very happy, and just a tiny bit smug.' The post also included a photo of their hands holding glasses of champagne, with Liz wielding her engagement ring. A source told The Sun: 'It has been a tumultuous six months for Wynne, but Liz has been his absolute rock throughout. More Trending 'Finally, some wonderful news for Wynne and his inner circle to celibate and everyone is chuffed for them both. 'He secretly bought an engagement ring and squirrelled it away for their holiday and then popped the question over champagne.' They added: 'Liz has been incredible over the past few months, supporting him through thick and thin, and had his back throughout, but obviously Wynne is telling everyone she's a lucky girl!' has reached out to Wynne Evans' representative for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Strictly fans reckon they've cracked identity of first confirmed celebrity after huge clue MORE: Strictly star announces major career change to star in 'dark' Hollywood thriller MORE: Strictly Come Dancing confirms two new stars in cast for 2025 line-up


Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
My dad wants to propose to his young girlfriend — but she's flirting with me
Knowing your mum or dad is out on the dating scene can feel pretty weird— but this week's reader has even more reason to feel uncomfortable. This 21-year-old got in touch because his dad's girlfriend, who is just 29, keeps flirting with him. From inappropriate touches to flirty jokes, he thinks she's crossing a line —but should he tell his dad? Read the advice below and make sure to read last week's column, where one reader is starting to doubt his girlfriend's far-fetched stories. My brother and I were still quite small when our mum sadly died of cancer. Since then, Dad's been involved with a few women but after one moved in and it all ended in disaster, he has tried to keep his love life away from us. However, now that we're adults – my brother 19 and me 21 – he's decided that it's safe to be open about his 'lady friends'. About a year ago, he met a woman at the cycling club he goes to, and in the last six months or so he has started bringing her home. She is only 29, my dad 47, so she's nearer in age to me than him. I've got to be honest – she is fit in every sense of the word. Maybe if I met her in a bar I'd be attracted to her, but she's my father's girlfriend so there's nothing there. I don't look at her in a romantic way. X Factor icon Diana Vickers and Metro's dating expert Alice Giddings dive into your wildest sex, love, and dating dilemmas – every Tuesday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. And be sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also join the fun on our WhatsApp Group Chat here – share your dilemmas and Diana and Alice may just give you a call. However, that feeling doesn't seem to be reciprocated. Every time we're alone together, she flirts with me – cracking inappropriate and suggestive jokes, putting her arms round me, rubbing up against me – to the extent that it's embarrassing. She even said recently that if she'd met me before Dad, she would definitely have picked me instead. My dad worships the ground she walks on, and thinks I'm just jealous if I say anything against her. Recently he has talked about popping the question, which is an awful prospect. I definitely don't want her as my step-mother or my dad's wife. Unfortunately, you have no control over the behaviour of your dad's girlfriend, but you do have control over how you respond to her. You really need to have an honest chat with this woman when your dad isn't around, and make it clear that you're not attracted to her – even if that involves a lie. She needs to know where the boundaries are, and that you're the offspring of her partner rather than a potential boyfriend. Tell her you'll speak to your father if her inappropriate behaviour continues. If she really is so thick skinned that she carries on flirting with you, you're going to have to tell your dad. He'll probably be annoyed at first, but I bet he'd rather know than not – especially if he's thinking of proposing. Don't lose your cool – just tell him in a calm, measured way, what has been happening. More Trending This woman is clearly one person to him and another to you, but from what you say, she's not the sort of woman he needs in his life. That said, there's nothing you can do other than tell the truth. After that, it's up to them to sort out. Laura is a counsellor and columnist. Got a sex and dating dilemma? To get expert advice, send your problem to Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ View More » MORE: I turned to ChatGPT to explain why my date went so wrong MORE: I told my husband 'we're over' after carrying the mental load alone MORE: I couldn't stop catching feelings after good sex with unsuitable men