By the time Rosie emerged from the backrooms of the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster for her afternoon meet-and-greet, the line of guests eager to hold the famed tarantula had already wrapped around the room and into the hallway.

Children bounced on their feet and pulled on their parents’ arms as Calais LeJeune, an educator and tarantula handler at the Butterfly Pavilion , carried Rosie past the line to the corner exhibit, where people can sit and welcome the spider to walk across their hand. For now.

LeJeune, who has worked nearly 8 years with Rosie, said she’s seen someone terrified of the spiders every hour she’s been in the tarantula exhibit. From toddlers to retirees, the guests stare at her from across the room as she coaxes Rosie and Goldie to walk on people’s hands. The timid

See Full Page