5 Creepy Crawly Creatures I have encountered

5 Creepy Crawly Creatures I have encountered

There are a lot of creatures that I have not seen before while living in Malawi. There are some that I did not think that I would come across in my live let alone in my own home. Seeing them for the first time has brought me to extreme dread. Now when I see some of them it just feels normal. Some of them have helped, and have been interesting to watch. Some are dangerous or are just plain petrifying to be around. I have chosen these as the ‘5 Creepy Crawly Creatures I have encountered’.

1. Bats

One night I had went to use my Chimbuzi. This is the equivalent of an outhouse. Entering I had heard a wrestling sound from the inside of the hole. Then a black ball came from out of it. It fluttered and zoomed past my face. I was alarmed. After that I had a hard time using the Chimbuzi. My second encounter with a bat was in my home. I had my back door open and I heard a swooping noise. I didn’t really pay much attention to it. Then when I went into my living room it was fluttering around. It constantly flew toward me and back rampantly. I had run out of my house screaming so loud my neighbors came by to see if I was alright.

2. Scorpions

Sometimes I see scorpions in my home. There are two types that I usually find. One is silver and about an inch long. The second is light brown and almost as long as my palm. One day I was putting on a shirt and something stung my hand. I shook and a scorpion had come out. It was the brown one. The pain had gone through my arm. It felt like a shock coursing through. It was fine after a while I just had taken some pain killers. The next day the pain was gone but the area was just a little sore.

3. Snakes

I am naturally a disorganized person. My house is also in the middle of a huge grassy field. This is a perfect invitation for snakes. While I was doing some work on the floor I had picked up a book. I had noticed what I thought was a phone charger cord under it . . . but it started moving. It was actually a Black Mumba. It wiggled and slithered behind a bag. I went to get my neighbor and he had taken it outside for me.

4. Lizards

There are many lizards that live in my home. They are light pale green and dark pale green. Their eyes are big, black and buggy. It had freaked me out at first but they help with eating bugs. Watching them attack is interesting. Lots of bugs enter and live in my home so they don’t do the greatest job. Most of the time they are crawling on the wall.

5. Various Bugs

There are some bugs that I am quite familiar with. Ones like ants, spiders, roaches and prey mantis. A lot of times I will run in to more alien kind. They might be bigger, more colorful, or weirder than I’ve ever seen a bug be before. Some beetles are almost as big as my fist. There are kinds of bugs that are fiery bright red. Even frequently Peace Corps volunteers I am servicing with post to our group messages pictures of insects with one question. “What is this?”. There are some beautiful moments that I have had with insects. Like falling asleep while a bunch of fireflies dance around my room. I have enjoyed the taste of termites sold by some vendors. Also a possible snack to be found are grasshoppers. I usually find these treats sold in city areas.

I have been terrified, and astounded many times by the wildlife in Malawi. Even in my home I am reminded that nature is all around. Back at home I used to think they were in my space. Now I realize that we share a space.

Pro-tips

• Put a lid over chimbuzi hole and have a door/cover for entrance

• Cut grass regularly or just make the area around bare

• Keep home tidy

• Shake out clothes/shoes

Enjoy (some) of nature’s critters