Need help identifying a spider [Pic]

Hi there,

Can anyone help me identify this spider, please? The photo was taken by a friend's friend. She says it was almost the size of her hand. I said crab spider, but the size of them in Southern Africa aren't as big as those in Arizona



Thanks to everyone in advance.

Wow. We have tiny crablike spiders around here, but nothing nearly that big. I wonder if it tastes like crab if you cook it?

a reply to: KaelemJames

That is the rare, but notorious Brain Siphoner.

I suggest purchasing a surplus military helmet, preferably made of Kevlar.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: KaelemJames

That is the rare, but notorious Brain Siphoner.

I suggest purchasing a surplus military helmet, preferably made of Kevlar.

Brain Siphoner. I love it.

What if it gets INSIDE the helmet though?

Evilus Bastardus Spider that is.
Sent a shiver down my spine that did...but don't ever kill them they are really good for your house.

a reply to: sn0rch

Starts with 'F' and rhymes with ducked.

originally posted by: boymonkey74
...they are really good for your house.

You mean your house.

I do not know much about spiders, but look closely at the picture. It is near a crack in the wood where two pieces are fashioned together. @x the size of the crack. I very much doubt that the crack in a planter or whatever it is is 1/2 the size of a hand. Your friend is exaggerating on the size in my opinion. It would have been nice to put a familiar object there for reference. Other than that i am confused was it AZ or southern Africa it was located. It might help to be more clear for someone to look it up. They could have been a stowaway from a trip, but could help.

Good "scientific names"! Hahaha

I will mention those for fun and see if they fall for it

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

I hate them but have been co habiting with one for a few months now, he lives upstairs and catches any insects coming in through my attic window.
They eat about 1000 insects a year what would be otherwise spreading germs and such throughout the house.

I respect it and he respects me because I have not hit him with a newspaper yet lol .

a reply to: boymonkey74

Still with the w i n d o w bug lol.

a reply to: roth1

Yes, i agree. I said crab spider then she mentioned it was about the size of her hand. I retracted my opinion and said I would ask around.

a reply to: KaelemJames

I believe that could be a rain spider which is a species of Huntsman spider.

wikipedia - Palystes superciliosus (common rain spider)
wikipedia - Huntsman spider

There are several pictures of Huntsman spiders here including South African specimens that you can compare it against.

EDIT:

Here's a picture of an unidentified species of Huntsman spider found in Johannesburg.



The shape and color look correct. Also notice the light banding on the legs that appears to also be present in the photo in the OP.

a reply to: KaelemJames

I believe it's the giant crab spider had one jump on my shoulder when I was in the pool a month ago.


www.spiders.us...

a reply to: theantediluvian

Rain spiders are very common here. But I have not seen one like this. The position of its legs and the length of the 4 fronts against the back 4. I have not seen that in rain/huntsman's in S.A

Checking your links

Much appreciated!

originally posted by: boymonkey74
I respect it and he respects me because I have not hit him with a newspaper yet lol

.

Ha. I can always tell when I come home if the wife spotted a spider.

The whole house reeks of furniture polish.

originally posted by: KaelemJames
a reply to: theantediluvian

Rain spiders are very common here. But I have not seen one like this. The position of its legs and the length of the 4 fronts against the back 4. I have not seen that in rain/huntsman's in S.A

Checking your links

Much appreciated!

No problem. Happy to help!

a reply to: KaelemJames

Where was this spider photographed S.A or Arizona?

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: boymonkey74
I respect it and he respects me because I have not hit him with a newspaper yet lol

.

Ha. I can always tell when I come home if the wife spotted a spider.

The whole house reeks of furniture polish.

Boats around here get covered in spiders.

Using lemon oil on interior teak keeps them out of the cabin.

Is that what your wife uses?

originally posted by: theantediluvian
Here's a picture of an unidentified species of Huntsman spider found in Johannesburg.

Please tell me for scale purposes it is sitting on a toothpick or at worst a pencil.