GIANT Spiders - Orlando Area

[Zandy595]

I have a question for those of you who live in the Orlando area. My MIL was telling me that her aunt lives near Orlando and they have HUGE spiders there. I don't really believe this, but she said they're about 12 inches in diameter. Somebody has to be exagerating. Have any of you seen unusually large spiders. Oh, and they also jump.

I live in S.E. FL and we don't have anything like that down here, that I know of.

 

[Virgo10]

I live about 45 miles from Orlando and the biggest (big as in long legs, very small body) ones I've seen are maybe 2 to 3 inches in diameter. They love to come in the house and, despite my best efforts, I normally find a few every day. I look at it as just part of the Florida experience.

If I ever saw a spider 12 inches across, I'd head for the hills!!!

 

[doxdogy]

I don't live in Orlando. But I have never seen spiders that huge here in Northeast Florida. I do remeber seeing spiders with long legs as a kid. We called them daddy long legs.

 

[safetymom]

I live about 12 miles from the parks and I haven't seen any large spiders at all.

 

[kerrynic78]

The spiders I see here are the sames one I would find in CT when I lived there.

 

[sorcerormickey]

The largest spider I have seen in the year we have lived here was probably 2 inches across (I almost DIED when I saw it on our lanai!!!) The only jumping ones I have seen here are tiny - less than 1/2 an inch.

If there was a 12 inch spider anywhere near me, you would be able to hear me down in SE Florida screaming my head off! LOL!!!

 

[parrothead365]

12 inches across Is that before or after you smoosh it?

I have run into some Bannana Spiders in the woods that have been 6-8 inches leg tip to leg tip. The webs were about 4ft across between trees.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Here in Texas I have the pleasure of Wolf Spiders coming to visit quite often. BLEEEEH!
The biggest we have had so far IN THE HOUSE is almost 2".

 

[jipsy]

A 12 inch spider? That's a FOOT LONG! Get a picture!

Wolf spiders (jumping spiders) can be about 11 MM long in some areas.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

1. Does your aunt live near a nuclear power plant?

2. Does your aunt need glasses?

3. Does your uncle tell you aunt anything else is bigger than it seems?

 

[jipsy]

are you sure your MIL isn't thinking of palmetto bugs? they can be huge, although not a foot long I don't think :lol:

 

[Disney Doll]

If I ever a saw a spider 12" acroos, I would wet my pants, pass otu and die...in that order!!!!!

 

[Cebhfhionn]

I'm really close to Orlando and I've never seen such a thing. 12 inch spider, NO way! I'm not even afraid of most spiders but that one would send me running for sure!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

1. Does your aunt live near a nuclear power plant?

2. Does your aunt need glasses?

3. Does your uncle tell you aunt anything else is bigger than it seems?

 

[Shutterbug]

Did it look anything like this?
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[elliemae1192]

1. Does your aunt live near a nuclear power plant?

2. Does your aunt need glasses?

3. Does your uncle tell you aunt anything else is bigger than it seems?

OMG I had ice cream in my mouth when I read that.......It's now in my nose!

I was thinking of the banana spiders too but I've never seen one more than 4 or 5 inches.

I've always thought it would be impossible for anything to ruin the magic of Disney but I think a 12 inch spider might do it!!!

 

[HTH]

Buck-Toothed Spiderrr!

 

[stacy347]

OMGosh!! I just screamed out loud at that picture when I scrolled down Spiders are about the worst thing I could see and a 12" one would most likely be the last one I ever saw, LOL!!

 

[lulugirl]

You should all head out here to Arizona and check out our fine selection of tarantulas.

 

[Zandy595]

My MIL is pretty gullible and I'm sure they were pulling her leg. Although she tells me that her aunt was very serious about it.

I've seen those banana spiders . Maybe that's what they were talking about and they embellished a little.