Arachnophobes look away, unless you’re a Harry Potter fan.
Researchers in Mumbai have discovered an interesting new species of spider that looks uncannily like the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter, and in homage to J.K Rowling’s classic series, have named it Eriovixia Gryffindor.
Researchers have named a newly-discovered spider after the Harry Potter Sorting Hat…because what else would you call it?
The spider lives in the mountainous terrain of south-west India and features a distinctly pointed mound on its abdomen. The mottled brown/grey colour and the curled tip is the icing in the cake – the spider is a spitting image of the Sorting Hat.
“As a youngster, I was very fond of reading Harry Potter books,” researcher Javed Ahmed told The Times of India. “So, when I encountered this tiny spider, I thought of the magical hat.”
A report in the Indian Journal of Arachnology divulges more:
“This uniquely shaped spider derives its name from the fabulous, sentient magical artefact, the sorting hat, owned by the [fictitious] medieval wizard Godric Gryffindor.”
Ahmed also Tweeted the discovery to J.K Rowling herself, to which she of course replied.
.@curiocritters I’m truly honoured! Congratulations on discovering another #FantasticBeast! ??✨ pic.twitter.com/NJ4Fe27F1r
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 11, 2016
[via CNN]
