Here is a little visitor I found on my bathroom floor... he was quite aggressive and his diameter was larger than a silver dollar. The next night we found another spider in the dining area - again quite aggressive - so much that I killed him before taking a photo. He looked like a giant tick - same sort of body shape. Any spider experts out there? let me know what you think. I think I will start wearing my shoes in the house!!!
Seems to be a Huntsman spider, also known as a rain spider in southern Africa. They can be pretty aggressive, especially the females when they are guarding their nests. Check to see if the legs are jointed vertically or not; if the legs joint at a slant thus causing the spider to resemble a crab, then it's a Hunstman. The fact that you described it as looking like a giant tick definitely suggests that's what it is. Their venom is not a danger to humans -- just the usual swelling, soreness, and maybe mild nausea, so if one of the little buggers ambushes you, don't worry too much about it.
ReplyDeleteI looked up some photos and yes, I think it is a Huntsman (for sure the second spider, the one we didn't get a picture of!). Thanks for your help! I will still try to avoid an ambush!
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