Rain spider

Description:

large hairy spider, but soft and velvet-like not bristly, course hairs. Colour mid brown with black markings. The chelicerae are brighter orange.

Habitat:

this particular individual was in the bathroom hand basin of the dwelling on a smallholding on the outskirts of town. Typically these spiders are free running, ground or plant dwelling, common in built up areas.

Notes:

Rain spiders are part of the family Heteropodidae or Large wandering crab spiders. The name Rain Spider comes from their habit of hunting insects drawn to lights in houses and the fact that there tends to be more insects around in damp weather compared to the very dry periods between storms.