Along Came an African Huntsman Spider
- 20 Comment
I had one of those deep sleeps last night. You know, the one’s where you wake up in the exact same position you fell asleep in. As I began to awake this morning to the soothing melody of the birds in the trees and slowly blinked my eyes open I got the shock of my life….
“SPIDER!!!” 
A bloody huge one as well. Directly above me on the ceiling and almost the size of my hand. I know we tend to exaggerate these things but really, I wish I had a digital camera to snap this one.
Ok, I know this has absolutely nothing to do with making money online but it is Friday and I had to share this.
Otherwise known as a “rain spider”, the African Huntsman Spider is quite a common species in South Africa and especially here in the Cape. They apparently don’t like getting wet these spider’s so they’ll look for shelter usually one or two days before the rain comes and they normally choose my house!
Apparently they’re harmless. That may be but they’re pretty scary looking. I shot out of bed and out of the bedroom and am still trying to pluck up the courage to go back and get him out. If you’re wondering what they look like, here’s a picture.
The African Huntsman – Commonly known as a “Rain Spider”
I won’t kill them, I can’t. They’re actually quite beautiful ( 
) and fascinating in their own way.
So I’m sitting here doing some stuff while trying to pluck up the courage to get back in there armed with a stick and bucket to try and catch my spider friend to set him free again in the garden.
Have you ever heard a grown Man scream like a girl?
If he starts running and jumping I’m going to freak!
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20 Comments on this post
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ArahMan7 said:
Luckily it is not poisonous. Don’t know much about spiders, but I’s scared stiff to be around them. Ouch!
Greetings and lotta loves from Malaysia.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:19 pm -
Matt said:
We had one of those in our house the other day. Very freaky things. Where abouts in the Cape are you? I’m up in Joburg
Keep well!
- Matt
December 7th, 2007 at 7:20 pm -
Justin Sawyer said:
Hey Matt
Thanks for your comment. I’m in Somerset West/Strand area, really nice place to be.
Just lots of Rain Spiders!
December 7th, 2007 at 8:14 pm -
Andy said:
Holy crap man! Anyone would freak if there is a spider that size right above your head. YIKES
December 7th, 2007 at 10:49 pm -
Kate said:
Yikes. I’d freak out if that came anywhere near me, and I’m not usually scared of spiders.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:08 pm -
henry said:
Heita,
The bite is akin to a bee sting, mildly painful and clears up after a couple of days. We have them in our house (Sedgefield, WC) A LOT! They don’t build webs but actively catch other bugs, especially at night. Having a few of them in your house is a good thing. What do you prefer…. a big spider that 99.9% of the time won’t bite you, or his meal the mozzie that WILL bite you? I sometimes catch them with a glass and relocate them to the outside. However, I’ve been reading up and soon will be catching one with my hands. My 2 yo daughter is an expert spiderspotter… so we’ll see…
October 7th, 2008 at 4:19 pm -
Justin said:
Hi Henry
That’s interesting, thanks for the comment.
Hehe, funny how kids don’t seem to mind some of the spiders we get here. My Son as well, he’ll pick up anything!!
October 7th, 2008 at 11:17 pm -
Sav said:
Find these in my house quite often… Found one in the shower last night! Walked over my girlfriends foot, she nearly hit the roof!
Bloody scary things, I hate them.
You can see a pic of it on my site.
Thinking of investing in some sort of animal that will eat them November 16th, 2008 at 11:59 am -
Justin Sawyer said:
Hi Sav, thanks for dropping in.
Yeh, haven’t had one around here for ages now but with summer here I’m expecting to start seeing them soon.
LOL…. What kind of animal eats these? Maybe get yourself a boa constrictor if the girlfriend don’t mind…
November 16th, 2008 at 12:09 pm -
christine said:
hey to justin & sav that sound like a grate idea but it a pitty that i am scared of those to. lol, i just had the most dreadful expearence with one on the 23 of nov 08, i really did not know what kind of spider it was thats how i came across the coments, i agree totally with them being around so that they can catch the other creepy things but hey they still look grouse and semi-dangerouse
but hey thats the perks whenyou live in south africa- lol
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm -
Barry said:
Hey all. I actually keep one as a pet, they’re super awesome. Her name is delilah, and she’s super gentle. Wonderful creature
November 24th, 2008 at 2:43 pm -
Justin Sawyer said:
@ Christine – Thanks for popping in, yes it’s the look that creeps me out! I can handle the smaller ones, but once they get a certain size… I run like the wind..!! lol
@ Barry – My my my…. Delilah..!.. Rather you than me mate, got a picture of her? Be interesting to see.
November 24th, 2008 at 3:10 pm -
christine said:
ewh i cant belive that you kept one as a pet, but what eva floats your boat. i would really like to see a pick of Delilah…… how long have you had her? and how much bigger do they get is the question?
November 29th, 2008 at 6:37 pm -
delwyn said:
hi….
any one know how a can catch one of these…. i want to keep it as a pet… they can get quite tame and easy to handle
October 13th, 2009 at 11:40 am -
Sheila Buitenbos said:
If you live anywhere near Somerset West you will find them easily, we had the biggest I have ever seen in the bedroom last night. It was at least 23cm tip to tip. It was huge! My poor husband had to psyche himself up into getting it out (With long,long handled broom and very deep box).
People always tell me that they are harmless, but try telling my heart rate that it’s OK!! If I had that anywhere on me I know i would pass right out. We have had a total of 10 in our house over the last 7 years (they love coming in the shower with you!!!)
November 6th, 2009 at 4:15 pm -
Justin Sawyer said:
Hi Sheila
Thanks for popping in and commenting
23cm??!!!!?? Oh My Word… That is a monster..!
Funny enough, I actually live in Somerset West so have seen quite a few over time but nothing that monsterous..! Eish..!
November 9th, 2009 at 11:03 am -
Brent said:
Ive sseen a couple of these spiders in helderview somerset west the first one i caught and named him marco after my gf x boy friend took him on a tour and let him go in wynberg park after a nyt out with me . He freaked evry one out. He was the size of my hand. About two nyts ago i think i saw his grand father he was huge i left him though his fangs was half my pinkie finger wouldn’t wnt a taste of that. Try touching its web in early ours of the morning it bundles leave and stuff and makes like a cacoon. That web is thick and strong like thread my girlfriend say am crazy to play with sunthing that big . Im not long in somerset so ive been fascinated by these spiders.
November 16th, 2009 at 7:15 pm -
Lizette Golke said:
We live in the Crags Plettenberg Bay, we have many of these spiders in our home and outbuildings, and watch them grow from babies to adulthood. They are so beautiful and so scary looking at the same time! We finally have rain, and over the past two weeks I have had one sleeping directly over my head, we have a slanted ceiling..at first I was a bit afraid, but now love going upstairs and chatting to Mr Spider eye to eye…I think they actually get their warmth from our body heat and also snack off all the insects that visit us whilst we sleep.
We are averse to dust, haven’t seen any sign of a web and or nest as they are normally seen neatly folded up in my curtains during the day… do they have nests..outside perhaps….ALSO do you know where I can find clear images of whether I am talking to a Mr. or Mrs?
April 24th, 2010 at 2:43 pm -
William said:
Hi
I got a lovely rain spider from a lady that wanted it out of her house. It is so nice and I fell in love with it. I just dont know if it is a male or female and how to tame it so I can hold it in my hands. She/he has its own glass tank with water bowl. I am giving it crikets and super worms to eat. I am also not sure if I am overfeeding it. Please help?September 21st, 2010 at 3:05 pm -
peter said:
Why are you guys scared of spiders? They are amazing creatures to keep and study. Hey William, if you want one to hold may I suggest the Curly Hair Tarantula. Very docile and interesting and not at all aggressive. I have two of them. Great pets to have and easier to keep than a dog or a cat
December 1st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
