Wild moment Today show presenter is attacked by a giant crab live on-air

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There’s a long-standing rule in the world of entertainment – never work with children or animals.

A presenter on the Today show recently had a surprising and chaotic experience while broadcasting live. During a remote report, a large crab unexpectedly attacked her, turning what should have been a smooth segment into a moment of unexpected chaos.

While reporting live from the Sydney Fish Markets, Taylor Haynes showed viewers around and came across a tank full of live crabs and lobsters.

To her joy, a staff member brought out a large crab and gently put it in her arms. She happily leaned down and kissed the top of its shell.

Things went south really fast! I was so worried when the crab actually pinched her finger with its big claw. It happened so suddenly!

Taylor recoiled in pain, almost dropping the crab in the process. 

She shrieked, ‘It’s got my finger! He’s got my finger… oh my gosh!’ which caused the hosts of Today to burst out laughing.

Oh my god, it was awful! She was still trying to pry her finger free from that crab’s claw when they just… cut the segment! Like, seriously?! I was on the edge of my seat, completely stressed for her, and they just stopped showing it?! It was so abrupt and I needed to know she got her finger back! I can’t believe they left us hanging like that!

It’s not the first time a Today presenter has been attacked by an animal live on-air. 

In 2023, while reporting live from a bird park in Queensland, Today show meteorologist Tim Davies was playfully bothered by a parrot.

In a funny incident, the bird tried to kiss Tim near his eyes, causing him to duck and avoid it while live on air.

‘This is Miko, I don’t know if Miko will let me do the forecast,’ Tim said. 

‘I need to scoop him off my beautiful face – I thought my eyes were gone then.’

I still remember back in 2008 when Steve Jacobs, the weatherman on Today, was actually attacked by a huge rooster! It happened live on air while he was reporting from a farm – it was totally unexpected and a bit of a hilarious disaster!

Steve was calmly holding the bird when, without warning, it suddenly flew up and attacked, causing him to stumble while he was giving his report.

The video of the incident quickly became popular online, and millions of people have now seen it on social media.

Steve had another run-in with the animal kingdom in 2016 when a guinea pig bit his finger during a live broadcast from a pet shop, while he was talking about finding dates for pets.

‘That was the pet world getting back at you,’ then-host Lisa Wilkinson said at the time.  

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2026-04-03 01:52