When you say pretty large, do you mean Australian large? because most of the time i see a spider around my house it's about the size of my palm (i have huge hands). But either way i don't kill them, if it's outside of my room i'll just leave it and if it is in my room i'll try to chase it out, if that doesn't work i catch it it something and take it outside.Ashannon Blackthorn said:Was in the kitchen and saw a pretty large spider. being a bit fond of the arachnids I went and researched what it was and came back with hobo spider. My roomies wanted to squish it, I caught it and released it into the garden. Would you have done the same or just dropped a phone book on it? Any other dangerous critters you tend to have a soft spot for and remove instead of kill when they show up to share your house?
I have a guide book from the area I live in that describes almost all known spider species in this area. Quite a few of the other Tegenarian spiders don't live in the area. Plus I caught it in a see through glass jar so had quite the time to leisurely examine the little fellow and if he wasn't a hobo, damn close.. close enough I wouldn't let him bite me to find out for sure ;-)NezumiiroKitsune said:Hobo spiders are nearly indistinguishable from other spiders of the genus Tegenaria, so if you managed to accurately identify it by eye, without looking closely at it's reproductive apparatus, well done, you have a very unique talent.
What I mean to say is, what made you sure it was a hobo spider? But yes, I'd have done the same. I would have caught it first mind, not wandered off, but I'd have released it; they're potential for flesh necrosis is greatly exaggerated, and they're useful pest control.
Is that a Sydney funnel web spider? If so then I don't blame you because those things can be nasty as fuck (very venomous for a spider). Unlike most spiders that choose to run away Sydney funnel web spiders are very aggressive. While they usually say in their borrows, they will come out when looking for a mate and that is usually when people encounter them. Funny fact, their venom supposedly only affects primates (which unfortunately includes us) but will not affect other animals like dogs and cats. Man, mother-nature has some mean motherfuckers down in Australia.Steppin Razor said:I kill them usually. Don't like anything small and venomous wandering around the house where it can try and bite me if I reach into any dark, concealed spaces. Especially not if they're one of these bastards investigating the place:
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Only ever had 2 of them inside the houses I've lived in, and both times I didn't see them until after our dog had ripped their legs off and played with them like they were a toy. Miniature schnauzers can be quite vicious little things, sometimes.