This was outside near my kitchen door ready to pounce on me as I walked out....
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I ran it through Google to identify it and it came up as a Noble False Widow. According to Wikipedia, "They are considered one of the most dangerous spiders in western Europe."
Did you miss the map on that Wikipedia entry which shows an invasive established presence of this species of spider in California, USA?
I did see that. They were reported down in southern California in Ventura County. I wonder if I should report this to anyone.
Anyway, I caught it and released it in my backyard far from the house. I didn't have the heart to smash it even though I know it would eat me if it could.
The wiki entry said this is the most invasive spider in the world, and it is apparently partial to the temperate climate of coastal areas so a good fit for California.
Enjoy your new friend! I love spiders.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
As I recall, there are not many, if any, spiders that can kill humans, even in Australia. Make you sick, maybe, but not deadly. Not pelasant to be bitten, but something you'll survive.
As I recall, there are not many, if any, spiders that can kill humans, even in Australia. Make you sick, maybe, but not deadly. Not pelasant to be bitten, but something you'll survive.
I'm not too worried about this spider killing me but the idea that if I was bitten, I'd survive but I could get sick isn't very comforting...
I don't know that spider in particular, but most spider bites are more like bee stings than illnesses. I recall a coworker of mine once had a nest of spiders in his apartment, and he was bitten multiple times. HE swelled up a lot (like and allergic response) and had a variety of bums on him, but when he went to the hospital they said it wasn't dangerous and gave him steroids for the allergic response. They weren't sure what sort of spiders, but thought it may have been black widows.
But your concern makes sense; he moved into a hotel for a week while the exterminators dealt with the problem.
