What kind of spider? Very hairy and pregnant

Same here. Used to be I couldnt even stand a garter snake, now most snakes dont bother me too much but I have yet to run into a copperhead or anything poisonous. I also dont really know how to handle them so I just tend to stay away and make my presence known. They usually go in a different direction when they sense I am there. Or maybe they smell the gunpowder in the gun

Fascinating! I'd much rather have the spiders eating the bugs that would like to feast on me, and the snakes (that one looks like a gopher snake to me) that are after the mice and other rodents that bring fleas and pathogens into our living space, than think about the world of woe we would be in without them.

We have lots of rattlesnakes about, when we see them in the barn we know it's time to do rodent control. Yes, they need to seek water sometimes too, and I've had to do a deal of separating when they take to the garden, but on the whole they're just trying to do their job. Black widows are pretty set in their ways too, it's not often you see them just crawling about. They give themselves away by that strong sticky messy looking web, then you know to prise them out and find their eggsack too. Sprays don't really do that work for you.

I think it's kinda like we're learning about bacteria - irradicating all the benign ones leaves open territory for the bad ones to take over.

Dolomedes tenebrosus carrying an egg sac:
Dolomedes tenebrosus (Dark Fishing Spider) - Spiders.us

Oh yeah, really appreciate the large pics, not! Arachnophobe here.
I know this one because one lives in my basement (at least I hope it's only ONE!!!).

Jeeze, that thing looks like an octopus! Great website, thanks so much!

Nice pics Lurnin2farm. The only time I've seen a wolf spider mama was in Bossier City, La. about 1960 in the school yard. All the little babies stayed right on her back. She wasn't intimidated by my quiet presence nor did she act at all aggressive. It was a memorable childhood experience. They don't live up here in the north. H

Definitely Wolf Spider with an egg sac.

Watch out, they jump!

But are harmless and beneficial to humans.

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Saffron

"YOU HAVEN'T SEEN HIM SINCE"! OMG! !!!!!
After he crawled under my washer, i would be on a mission!!!!
Then i would be finding how he got in.
Oooooooweeeeeeee. Creepy

I used to have those fishing spiders come hopping across the surface of the water at me when I was chest deep in my ponds pulling seine. Some had a leg spread of 2 1/2" or more. They would run up my arm to the top of my head if I couldn't divert them. I'd be out their puffing like a steam engine trying to blow them off course or splashing water at them.

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"Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?" Hobbs
"I'm not sure that man needs the help." Calvin

The one in my basement has a body that is the width of the 2 x ceiling joists. The legs span is way larger than 2 1/2 inches. I would die if one ran up my arm and to the top of my head!

That snake looks an awful lot like a cottonmouth. If that was in my house, I'd be living in a motel room.

That spider mama is CUTE.

And I agree with TXSteader- something about the big body then quick change thickness to a thinner tail that speaks pit viper to me instead of garter

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US Army veteran, military retiree spouse, and military; civilian; British NHS; and VA doctor.

Here's a shot of the Dolomedes that was/is in our basement: