ID please?

[andreeew]

My friends saw these (2 different spiders, but I'm guessing same kind) guys hanging out in their house and I'm curious what are they called. The other guy is dead though

EDIT: the second spider's legs fell off after my friend killed him with a broom i was telling him what a waste I would love to keep that spider!

 

[Bastian Drolshagen]

hi,
Heteropoda venatoria males. The dead one was very old.

 

[andreeew]

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[davisfam]

We agree on the Heteropoda venatoria ID for these big fella's. Here is some information regarding this species if your interested;

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN31700.pdf

http://www.floridanature.org/species.asp?species=Heteropoda_venatoria

http://bugguide.net/node/view/6930

I would def. keep one of these guys if you find another one soon although with Winter approaching, it might be more difficult. This species tends to often to found in Southern homes so you might get lucky again! If you do happen to find another H. venatoria, try to find a immature female, you will have much better luck keeping her alive in captivity thru the Winter months.
Good Luck!

 

[erik]

man i live in florida and i remember one night waking up with one almost as big stretched across my face didnt notice it till i turned on light in bathroom freaked me out