"This is the kind of spider that nightmares are made of", Gross said.  They have large fat bodies, and both the body and the legs are thickly covered in hair, making the spider seem even more bulkier than it really is, and giving it the most frightening appearance. By spider standards, baboon spiders are particularly long-lived. While most spiders live for only a year or so, baboon spiders have a lifespan of up to 25 years. They take between 8 and 10 years to reach maturity. They spend most of their time either inside or very near their nests, which are usually silk lined holes in the ground.  If alarmed near its nest the spider may rear up on its hind legs, with its front legs and fangs poised to strike downwards at its adversary.  When it adopts this formidable posture you can see its sharp, brown fangs, surrounded by reddish hairs. The fangs can inflict a painful, venomous bite which can present a threat to humans.  Its natural habitat is throughout the southern African sub-region.

                The Suffolk County SPCA is appealing to the public for financial help, so that we may provide the necessary medical care for the animals surrendered until they can be safely transported.  We are a private, nonprofit, charitable organization and the voice for animals in SuffolkCounty.  We do not receive taxpayer or public funding and we must rely on the support and generosity of donors to exist.  Donations can be mailed to Suffolk County SPCA, 363 Rt. 111, Smithtown, NY11787 or by logging on to our website :     

suffolkcountyspca.org

The Suffolk County SPCA is not affiliated with, a subdivision of, or funded by any other local, state or national humane organization.