Giant house spider

A female giant house spider crawling on our Entomology Collections Manager and Researcher, Claudia Copley. You might be seeing this spider's male counterpart wandering around in search of her. He's just looking for love so remember before you squish him - he's a lover not a biter. Take him outside so he can find this lovely long-legged lady.

[duggsie]

Once these Spiders realise you aren't going to hurt them they soon calm down, and stop trying to escape. I found one of these Spiders in a bath the other day, and after chasing her around a few minutes with my hand, she stopped running and reached out with one leg. After touching my hand for a moment, she then climbed onboard and I took her outside, where she would hopefully be safe. Please folks don't kill them, Spider are our friends, they help keep fly numbers down, and they are truly amazing little creatures. Remember, Spiders are more terrified of you, than you are of them. 👍

[willbunyan]

I know that these things are 100% harmless but they still freak me the fuck out. I feel physically sick when I run into one.

[E_GIBSON]

I've have lived in older homes in Seattle Wa and these spiders are quite common here. I used to see them regularly when I lived in a basement apt which was directly next to the washer and dryer. They love damp, wet places. You could regularly find them in sinks or your bathtub because they have difficultly climbing smooth surfaces. They can get rather large and move quickly but are harmless to humans.

[petern.]

That was clearly an office. Was it ‘Bring your house-spider to work’ day?

[pastorbri]

Im so envious of anyone who can do this and not freak

[teecchnoboy]

Australians watching this video: laughs

[bearskorner]

That's the bastard that jumped me in the shower good to know

[thewrngchild]

Eratigena atrica aka giant house spider. Harmless to humans, comical spiders, I love watching them walk across the ceiling. They also prey on flies and other bugs you don't want in the house. Always welcome with me.

[olmostgudinaf]

It was so calm. These blighters can run really fast.,

[chengaanimates]

I've seen some of these guys in my garage. They're pretty chill

[Al_Varoduck]

😍 the best animal !! I LOVE SPIDER !!!! ❤🕸🕷

[Darcy_Life]

Last night I looked down from my bed to see that spider SPRINTING at max speed across my floor I just caught it today it’s horrifying

[EPSGplayer]

These can grow quite LARGE and are incredibly fast when startled.

[xrecon]

I held one before as well. Sorry for the detail but I could feel every leg moving on my hands and the weird texture/sensation was nothing that I’ve ever felt before since the one I held was freakishly big. It was super chill tho, tried to run away from my hands and it’s webs were strong. But eventually calmed down and then just sat on my hands. House spiders yes look terrifying, but they’re super friendly and I can confirm they wouldn’t dare bite you unless you force them to (like literally force them)

[StoneWasTakenAgain]

There was one in the corner of my room and I didn’t care and as soon as I tried to go to sleep it crawled onto my bed 😢

[AustinTheWeenieTickler]

Stepped on one of these last night and HEARD it crawl. Genuinely thought it was a mouse

[jaymarshall]

I used to handle these house spiders when i was about 10 with no issues, now as an adult i don't think i could for some reason. I know they can't kill you but they can still and will bite you if threatened.

[xtraflo]

I saw a Giant one running across my floor downstairs - I had no idea what kind of Spider it was and didn't want it to run under the couch so I decided to smash it.
Yeah, I felt bad about it but didn't want to take the chance but I since did a little research and discovered this is what it is.
Tonight, another Giant one came running out of the closet at me and I captured it with a Cup. Got the Dust pan and Broom, swept it up and tossed it outside. Damn thing came running back at me. I eventually swept it fully away but that thing seemed Aggressive!!

[lovingnature]

What is odd is it states it is a house spider and take it outside. It is called house spider for a reason! I literally have been observing one in my bathtub for the last two days. Finally decided to put a towel drapped it over the edge so it could climb out and go back to where it needed to go in the basement. I usually use a newspaper to let small spiders climb on and release it. However this one was fast and Huge so to scary and risky to trust that I could be successful. Thought it climbed out but it is remaining on the towel, I checked thinking it was gone and scared myself, screamed, and scared it I am sure. Poor thing just wants to find it's mate! What a dilemma Part 2

[ronaldmcdonald]

I'm glad you didn't kill it or hurt it. I had a big spider in my room, but it died when I accidently put something on it. I'm still annoyed it died, I was giving it full roam of my room. The next time I hopefully wont kill it by mistake! I've always been fascinated by spiders, I love the fact that gram for gram their silk is stronger than steale.