A Surprise Behind the Gargoyle
In New South Wales, Australia, Olga Bez has a terracotta gargoyle plaque near her front door — a decorative piece meant to greet visitors. But this wall art turned out to be more than just ornamentation: it became home to an unexpected duo.
Two years ago, Bez noticed the chirping of a tree frog coming from the plaque. Despite her attempts, she couldn’t locate the source at first.
“I looked behind the plaque, but could see no shadow, not realizing there was a hollow behind the gargoyle’s face,” Bez told The Dodo. “It was some time later that I finally took the plaque down — and there was the frog!”
A Bold New Roommate
Once discovered, the frog quickly grew comfortable around Bez, even perching atop the plaque in plain sight before retreating to its hidden nook to rest. Bez and her family, including her grandkids, came to enjoy the frog’s presence.
Then, last May, another surprise awaited: a huntsman spider had moved in, sharing the nook with the frog.
“Imagine our surprise,” Bez said. “It’s interesting that the two got together and have continued to cohabitate.”
An Unlikely Friendship
Normally, huntsman spiders prey on frogs, and frogs often eat spiders. Yet in Bez’s gargoyle plaque, the pair appear to have reached a peaceful coexistence.
While the exact nature of their arrangement is unknown, similar relationships have been observed in the wild. In the Amazon rainforest, burrowing tarantulas sometimes share their homes with dotted humming frogs. Researchers believe the spiders act as “bodyguards” for the frogs, while the frogs eat small insects that could threaten the spider eggs.
It’s unclear if Bez’s frog and spider have struck a similar deal, but their peaceful cohabitation is a delightful curiosity.
Joy for the Family
Bez is simply happy to watch the pair interact and has enjoyed the joy they bring to her and her grandkids.
“We’re just glad we’re blessed to have these wonderful critters around us,” she said. “It brings such joy to us and the grandkids!”
In a small wall nook in a suburban home, nature’s unexpected friendships can blossom in the most surprising ways — even between a frog and a spider.
