This medium size Japanese Huntsman spider gave me a bit of a start this morning when I discovered it near my face as I fumbled for my keys at the entrance to my apartment.
I apologize for the poor quality of this video which was shot in haste and under poor lighting conditions.
The huntsman spider is found in many parts of the world and is notable for its large size and great speed. The spider shown in this video is quite small for the species and likely very young. These spiders have been measured with leg spans up to 250 mm (roughly 12 inches) and make their living by ambushing prey which they actively pursue over open ground. The spiders do not produce a web though they may trail a line of silk as they move which is used to control a fall in the event they find it necessary to jump. A distinguishing characteristic of this spider are the forward-facing two front pairs of legs. The position of the legs gives the body a lower profile compared to many other spiders and may aid the animal in subduing its prey.
Huntsman spiders will move to shelter during wet weather and will often enter homes, sheds and other areas which offer protection and a safe hunting ground. Consequently these spiders are sometimes called rain spiders or housekeeping spiders with the latter term referring to their propensity to rid a home of pests such as cockroaches and flies. Older Japanese who have grown up in the countryside have little or no fear of these spiders despite their large size and may even readily pick them up to move them outdoors. Wikipedia reports that the bite of a huntsman is not dangerous though it may cause swelling and pain. One old Japanese farmer I spoke with told me that he had been bitten by many spiders while working in his fields and indicated that the huntsmans bite was one of the least painful he had known. The Japanese words he used to describe the bite of a huntsman was kimuchi warui which translates as feels strange. My wife Yumiko grew up in an old home where huntsman were seen daily during the warm months. She describes the spiders moving quickly (and unmolested) along the walls while the family ate dinner, perched above the tub while bathing and even walking over her body while she slept. Despite her lack of fear for these large spider she nevertheless calls me (the scared one) to remove them from our apartment whenever one is discovered. Catching these spiders in the house is a difficult job as their good eyesight alerts them to an approaching human and their great speed allows them to seemingly fly from room to room with ease, eluding capture.
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My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of the experience of life with me. I’m available on social media at the links below and can be reached via email at dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com
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THE PATH OF WILDNESS
The Path of Wildness is easy to find
The course of a stream
Leaves blown in the wind
A beast’s track through the brush
And the direction of our first inclination
The Path of Wildness is an answer and response to a prescribed way of life which may leave some individuals with a sense that their living is little more than a series of pre-determined, step-like episodes between birth and death. The stages of living between these events: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood and senior are themselves natural and in accord with the needs of the species and most individuals. Many find their satisfaction in living this course and to these individuals I have little or nothing to say. Others though long for something more; something innate, genetic and seemingly calling. Adventure and change can give a degree of satisfaction and relief yet even these may seem too tame. To those who feel drawn to something beyond the entertainment and stimulation of senses I offer a walk along The Path of Wildness. Don’t bother penciling the event in your schedule, preparing a pack with goodies and supplies or even inviting a friend along, for this experience is along the course of your first inclination and you must surely always go alone.
Learn more about The Path of Wildness here:
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CHANNEL CREDITS
“Japanese Falls” image by the artist Lane Brown. See more of Mr. Brown’s work at the following URL:
Channel Theme Music “Song For Kurt” used with permission by Nowherians. Discover more about the artist and their music here: /