Cruising the Web

[DennisT]

Cannot describe this guy but he is pretty large - dominates this web that is inhabited by three similar spiders and a host of tiny ones

[WesternGuy]

Dennis, nice image, thanks for sharing. Is this guy indigenous to South Africa or "southern" Africa in general? How big is it (cm long)? The reason I ask, is that my wife and I are headed to Botswana by way of Johannesburg around the first of May and I would like to avoid these guys if they aren't friendly, or at least tourist friendly. LOL I t does look like he may be something to avoid. Now I know what they look like...

Regards,

WesternGuy

[DennisT]

Hi Westernguy - his body is about 28mm to 30mm (about an inch and a half) long. He does not appear amongst the listed dangerous spiders - of which there are very few in Southern Africa. Watch out for the various button spiders but do not concern yourself as spider bites are rare here. Have a great trip to fantastic Botswana - I've been there a number of times - its a wild life Mecca with superb birding. Here is an old pic from 2004 to whet the appetite!!!

[Eric D]

NIce capture...Spiders freak me out!

[paulnj]

love spiders and that elephant image is very nice!