has anyone else seen a huge spider at AKL?

[beastlyprince]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Especially sitting at my desk...in my office, knowing one is watching me with 6-eyes somewhere close by!

Spiders have 8 eyes.

I saw the largest spider I've ever seen while walking towards the International Gateway from Boardwalk. The spider's web was located in a tree along the pathway (the tree was located behind an iron fence along the pathway). I noticed this absolutely huge web, but didn't notice the spider. I walked towards the IG, then turned around. As I was making my way back to the Boardwalk I noticed the creature from h*ll. If that have been within 10 feet of me, I would have broken the 100 meter dash record.

I don't do spiders or bugs/insects, especially roaches (I've only seen two of those in my life and that was enough; really made me have an adversion to eating at Chinese restaurants).

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by beastlyprince
Spiders have 8 eyes.

Actually...They all have a different number of eyes, specific to the "variety." Spiders have as many as 8 eyes, but some spiders have only 6 eyes and several spiders have fewer or even none!

*The stories above (babies running out from the mother) can only be related to the WOLF spider. She is the only spider whom carries her young on her back (for about a week after they hatch). Wolf Spiders make an egg sac that they keep with them at all times. The egg sac can house up to 800 spiderlings at one time! Some females also keep more than one egg sac. Once the babies mature the mother carry them on her abdomen, they remain there by special hairs on the abdomen.

*(sung To the tune of SPIDERMAN):

Spider mom, spider mom
Does her thing, with aplomb.
She has got, lots of eyes
she eats bugs, she eats flies
Look out!
Here comes the spider mom.

The young, unless brushed off, sit where they are, but in dangerous situations they alight of their own accord. One such dangerous situation is when two wolf mothers come face to face. In such an event there will be no friendly discussion about the care of the children: there will simply be a fight. The children themselves realise this and lose no time in dismounting and making themselves scarce. Peering from cover, they then watch a fight that is no kid-gloved affair.

Eventually one panting matron stands over the other. Fabre has recorded such a fight and shown us the victorious one holding down her opponent, gripping her with her legs and pressing down on her belly. Amongst female spiders no quarter is given or expected. The prone one spits viciously and the other one waits her time to avoid those snapping jaws and bite into the brain.

Fabre also relates how, after the coup de grace had been given and the conqueress was eating her opponent, all the children came forth from hiding and climbed onto her back. And there they sat until mother--for she was "mother" now to all of them--had finished her meal.

It follows therefore that a matron, if a good fighter, may go out with her own children in the morning and come back in the evening carrying three lots packed several tiers deep.

Three is the limit. Fabre experimented and managed to get three loads on to one mother's back but could not manage a fourth. The mother herself raised no objection, but the load became so top-heavy and swayed when the mother moved so that those perched on the summit fell off.

*from John Crompton's "The Spider" (*Available @ Amazon.com)

The deflated looking white sack to the rear of the babies is the EGG SACK, still being carried by the mom:

http://www.spiderroom.info/flashfiles/lifecycle1.swf



*Here's a wonderful STORY page for children (about this very spider):
http://www.grandmalyn.com/KatiesSpider.html

ENJOY!!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[G&J's Mom]

Now those are some pics!

dreamflight, yeeessss, it is the Wolf Spider. I still haven't seen the one that is still in my house. It is freaking me out!!!!

Denise

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by G&J's Mom
dreamflight, yeeessss, it is the Wolf Spider. I still haven't seen the one that is still in my house. It is freaking me out!!!!

Denise... there is some consolation that this spider is not poisonous (as your DH confirmed). BUT...since you are phobic...this is little comfort. It has probably not ventured far away from the sofa area (where it originally sought shelter). Wolfs prefer to live underneath cool/dark areas such as:

*floor/cupboard (baseboard) areas
*closets
*Washer/Dryer
*Beds
*furniture
*newspaper/boxes
...and other dark areas.

They tend to "hide" during the day, although it is not uncommon to see "mothers" with babies on their backs during daylight hours. They are good at climbing walls, but prefer to stay on the ground. If you want to "extricate" this particular spider, spray a pesticide in the "general" area where you last saw it take cover (under the sofa). Permit the spray to "aerate" under/behind the sofa...and watch the walls/floor. If it is still under/in this area, it will most likely come out. Be prepared to deal with it...one way or the other. Maybe try a BIG CUP...and see if you are able to get the spider into the vessel...then continue to "gently" shake the cup as you RUN for the door. Toss the intruder into the grass/shrubs and inform it to please "Stay outside" (before you close the door). This ALWAYS works for me! Or...if you must, please administer a lethal dose of the spray and then dispose of the little fella. GOOD LUCK!!

DF99