Man Finds Huge Venomous Spider Lurking on Home's Ceiling—And She's Pregnant

A giant venomous pregnant spider has been allowed to stay in a home after it was found lurking in a small window cavity beside the front door.

Reddit user Bakers_eggs wanted help identifying the huge spider and uploaded a photo to the website after finding it in his home in Wallan, a town just north of Melbourne, South East Australia.

The spider was later identified as a badge huntsman spider, a venomous arachnid that lives all across Australia. While poisonous, they pose little risk to humans—although people should seek medical assistance if severe pain, swelling, sweating, nausea and vomiting persist.

Shockingly to people who live outside Australia, Bakers_eggs said in the December 19 post, which can be seen here, that the spider would be allowed to stay as it is effective at getting rid of pests.

"Huntsman spiders are very shy and are good to keep around the house as they eat cockroaches and other invertebrates," the Reddit user told Newsweek. "I'll let her keep her spot but she was gone this morning."

The Reddit user explained that the pregnant spider was "as large as a child-sized football" (soccer ball) and estimated that it weighed between 12 and 14 ounces.

According to the Australian Environment Pest Managers Association (AEPMA), which represents pest managers across the country, huntsman spiders are considered to be beneficial as they feed on large insects such as cockroaches.

People unfamiliar with huntsman spiders might confuse them with tarantulas, but they can be identified by their legs, which are twisted in a way that makes them extend forward like a crab.

They can grow to be up to about 6 inches and their legs have prominent spines while the rest of their bodies are smooth and furry.

"They tend to live under rocks, bark, and similar shelters, but human encounters are commonly in sheds, garages, and other infrequently disturbed places," the AEPMA said.

"They have been known to inflict defensive bites, but are not widely regarded as dangerous to healthy humans," it continued.

Online Reaction to Reddit Post

Many of those who commented on the post were shocked by what they saw, while lots found a funny side to it.

Reddit user Some_Sundaedude said: "Burn the house down and call in an airstrike."

While fatalcharm added: "Congratulations, you are about to become a grandparent."

Silly_Space_1272 commented: "That's your new landlord. You rent that space now."

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