Can anyone identify this spider?

Bit smaller than a Huntsman, but big, nonetheless. To me it looks like one or another Tarantula, just need to be positive. Not a Wolf Spider & IMO not a Rain (Huntsman) spider, well a Huntsman...or?

Much appreciated!



This pic was taken by friends at their home.

Is it maybe an orb spider?

Holy smokes...

I think you have a case of "Big freaking spiders" They're common...

I'm not scared of them but this one I don't like lol

reply to post by KaelemJames


Sorry, but it looks exactly like a Huntsman spider to me, in every detail.

Compare it to the huntsman in this one....
www.mdavid.com.au...

Originally posted by kosmicjack
Is it maybe an orb spider?

What he said...

But the body of the one in the OP's picture seemed to be kinda small for it to be an Orb Spider. It's hard to judge with just one shot.

reply to post by KaelemJames



I don't know what that spider is but YUCK!
That looks like the spiders I used to dream about that were blocking me from getting to books in my sleep!

Only those were around 6 feet tall.

s&f for making me cringe at a spider,
which I don't normally do!

awwwwwww, i hate spiders!!!!!!!!!!!

i cant look, that thing is so freakin big and ugly.

That thing looks like its big enough to latch on to your face like the movie Alien.

Maybe this will help:

Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae) are a family of spiders known as huntsman spiders because of their speed and mode of hunting. They also are called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. Larger species sometimes are referred to as wood spiders, because of their preference for woody places (forest, mine shafts, woodpiles, wooden shacks). In southern Africa the genus Palystes are known as rain spiders or lizard-eating spiders.[1] Commonly they are confused with baboon spiders from the Mygalomorphae infraorder, which are not closely related.

More than a thousand Sparassidae species occur in most warm temperate to tropical regions of the world, including much of Australasia, Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Americas.

en.wikipedia.org...

reply to post by Gazrok



I have seen that pic. Notice the legs, the tarsus is black, whereas the other one is not. It could be another in the family, but, wow - not sure.


reply to post by intrepid


I have came across a few Huntsman in my life. This one i would HAVE loved to see with my own eyes. Well, as Gazrok and yourself seem to be on the same page, and my friends too, i will concede.

The Orb kosmicjack and frankLY mentioned is interesting, as they get huge, too.

reply to post by KaelemJames


Ok, now that's a friggin' huge spider! I hate them with every fiber of my being. I tried for years to desensitize myself but to no avail.

reply to post by KaelemJames


My god, how big is that sucker?!

The topside of its back looks very cool. It looks like it has a face that's screaming out at ya!! BOO!

It's a BROWN TROUSER spider.

Because if you see one, that's what you get.

Holy buckets, I hate spiders.. almost as much as bees.



*grabs mortein and hugs it*

rain spider according to this.

reply to post by KaelemJames

yes that is scarygigantipithagousgetoughtofthehouse spider

reply to post by KaelemJames


Mostly look at the leg positioning, anatomical features, shape of the body, etc. between your pic and the one I linked to. Coloration can always vary, but those other criteria are set.

We mostly get a couple of orb-weaver types here on the ranch. Specifically Araneus cavaticus and Neoscona crucifera. The make amazing webs, and quickly too. Of course, they eat flies, so my wife had to get over her arachnophobia pretty quick!!!

To another:

rain spider according to this.

Also called a Huntsman... (just like my Barn Spiders are Orb-Weaver types). Whether you term it Huntsman or Rain, it's all family Sparassidae (also called Giant Crab spiders)

reply to post by Gazrok


Size and looking at the anatomy definitely falls towards Rain Spider. The colours of this one, is different and that is all why i am on a fence.

reply to post by KaelemJames


I could be wrong but i believe thats a Radioactive Steatoda Spider, it probably escaped from some lab..

reply to post by KaelemJames


It would be nice to see both sides of him/her. I think it may be an average garden spider. They are huge but harmless and I leave them alone and let them eat harmful insects.

Remember they do come in a lot of colors and patterns but they have big webs.

Check out this Garden spider photo for sell images.fineartamerica.com...

reply to post by KaelemJames


If I saw a spider like that in my house I would freak.Then,after going through
a spell of the willies and screaming,I would reach for a book,shoe or flyswatter.

Your gonna need a bigger gun! I think thats a "Holycraprantula"!