Spider (warning contains pictures of a spider)

[Jason]

We recently took down our front porch because it was in danger of falling down. The wood was well past its best and I was worried that the door would slam and all the glass would fall out.

In the process of dismantling we found the following eight legged creature. It was about the size of a 50p piece and quite solid looking, you can see how big it is when you compare it with the snail shell . It had an interesting pattern on its back. In the right light it looks a bit like a skull.

[meerkat]

After fainting and then taking a more detailed look from a safe distance, I think you have the commom garden spider. The females are the biggest with a marking across the top of thier backs which can be anything from a cross to a skull looking shape. Yours also has the correct shape. It was probably holeing up somewhere to while away the bad weather/winter.

KILL IT!!! NOW!!! KILL IT!!! NOW,NOW NOW!!! SERIOUSLY!! KILL IT!!!

[Tonyblack]

Cute!

When I was a kid we had a huge spider living in a hole in the outside wall. There were webs all around the entrance to it. I used to drop ants onto the web and watch the spider come out and grab them.

Poor ants! What was I thinking!

[Toothy]

That's one evil looking spider, Jason. It brings back memories of the monster you evicted from the bedroom some time ago. You know, the one that made a 'thud' sound as it hit the window ledge on the way down...

[raptornx01]

it looks like a Sai on its back.

[author3]

It looks huge,what are you going to do with it?

[Jason]

The porch has gone to the local dump and the spider buggered off somewhere.

[Joolz]

It will be sitting on the doorstep waiting for a saucer of milk

[Jason]

This is what the house looked like until last weekend:



This is what is looks like now:

[Jason]

It will be sitting on the doorstep waiting for a saucer of milk

Probably more likely a pint of Guinness...

[Joolz]

Probably more likely a pint of Guinness...

My kind of spider

[Homeless Hublander]

bloomin eck thats a monstrosity O.o I wouldnt be able to sleep at night knowing one used to camp in my porch! though I must admit, the markings on its back are really cool - though I agree with meercat - KILL IT! NOW!
cheers,
Hublander.

[Who's Wee Dug]

Death head spider, you had the UK equivlent maybe Jason.

[Jason]

It looks like it might have been a Biting spider or false window. Dave Hayden recognised it. If you are feeling up to it you can read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steatoda_nobilis

[Tonyblack]

The house looks much better without the porch (and spiders).