I was deployed to Honduras, C.A. back in the late 80's. We often came across tarantulas and would occasionally run across a bushmaster snake. Bushmasters are very aggressive, with a similar temperament as that of the traditional black snake. When confronted, they will stand their ground. And they're highly venomous as well. They tend to reside in forested habitats, so seeing one in a populated area is fairly uncommon, although they do meander out of the bush once in a blue moon. I was improving a foxhole fortification out on the perimeter one afternoon and one of our Honduran soldier guides called me away from a log I was getting ready to use for overhead cover. Sure enough, this 6-foot long snake started coming right at us. He killed it with a machete, and I thought to myself - I don't want to f**k with this guy. He's crazy. LOL
There was a tarantula in my boots one morning as I was getting dressed, about the size of a baseball. I guess it's a good thing that they reminded us each morning to check our boots and clothing for creepy critters.