Can she do with 7?

[wheelieterp]

I was cleaning out my shower, and noticed a couple of spiders up on the ceiling... Many of you know that until last fall, I was horribly arachnophobic, when I promised someone that I would TRY to not kill the next spider that I found in my house... Of course.. the next spider was ENORMOUS, but... well... Hey... You can read about it and see a picture HERE.

Anyway, today, while cleaning the bathroom again, I saw a couple of lovely ladies on the ceiling. I have company coming, or I would have left them there... I scooped one up and took her outside, but in trying to get the other one (She was high in a corner.. I tried to gently use a broom), I accidentlly knocked off one of her legs.

I made a nice home for her in a jar, as I feel responsible for her now. I want to observe her and make sure she is ok, then, if it seems she will be able to make it in the wild on her own, I will release her.

I can't tell what kind she is... She is not an orb-weaver, tho she does spin.. By her shape, anatomy and behavior, I am guessing she is an active hunter of some sort...

I am struggling to remember my entomology from college (being phobic then, I skipped a lot of the spider stuff), and I seem to remember that spiders can go some time between feedings, so I am hoping to have enough time to order some fruit flies online to feed her... Anyone know for sure?

Also, anyone know of a good online dichotomous key that I can use to try to identify her?

Comments

[asweetbri.livejournal.com]

You are a better person than I am. I cannot stand spiders, they totally freak me out. Now that I have my hubby to call and remove them, far less die in my house.

But still....EW!

[dodgingwndshlds.livejournal.com]

While I am no longer crippled by fear around our eight-legged friends, they do still freak me out a little, especially when I am not prepared for them. I also feel a sort of special affinity for them now...

It is difficult to get over that fear, I know... But the truth that was told to me is a solid one: Because of our interference, our arrogant insistance in "controlling" nature, and our pesticides, predetors of all ilks, even ones as small and seemingly numerous as spiders, are far too prescious a resource to kill.

Mind you, some spiders are dangerous... Or too aggressive... No animal will tolerate being threatened in its own lair. Those spiders still get squashed in my house.... but I don't do it lightly.

We have a responsibility to them. Read about it. Educate yourself... Maybe it will do for you what it did for me, and absolve you of the burden of your fear of them. I don't know about you, but my fear of spiders kept me from camping, going certain places, and doing certian things that I no longer am always afraid of doing. It's quite liberating.

[lee93.livejournal.com]

oh man... i had the best spider ID site on my old computer's bookmarks.. if you could post a picture i might be able to help... in the meantime i'll keep looking.

[lee93.livejournal.com]

well it wasn't what i was looking for, but i did find this page:
http://www.cirrusimage.com/spider.htm

[dodgingwndshlds.livejournal.com]

Thanks!! That did it!! Funnel Web Spider of some sort!!

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

That's why they have 8 legs, in case they lose one in a tragic broom incedent.
I try not to kill them, unless they spook me.

[transdreams.livejournal.com]

hello, i would really like to hear your opinion on my last entry.
dont worry im not a troll, Just someone else on your friends list using a different name :-D now.. can you figure out who it is? :-P