How long do spiders live

[MrPahoehoe]

Hi Guys, just wondering about those spiders you tend to find in your house, running along the floor or whatever. I caught one yesterday that was so big: with its legs it was probably 4" across, nearly too big to go under a pint glass, and it wasn't one of the ones with massive oversized legs, i'd say the body was maybe 2cm long.

I was just wondering how long it would take one of these behemoths to get to this size and how long they would live for? Cheers!

[chijiki]

Most spiders, including those you are likely to find in your house (assuming that you are in the UK) will live for one to two years.
However, amongst the 35,000 species of spider, there are many that live much longer. For instance, there are records of a tarantula living for over 30 years.
BTW, spiders lay between one and a thousand eggs per batch, depending on species.

[mountainboo]

ok, childhood nightmares coming flooding back now... Do spiders hibernate because thankfully I never see them during the winter period. And why do those really scary looking huge brown and white spiders only come out in the garden during september time?

[chijiki]

The active season for most (UK) spiders is (mainly) June to November. The rest of the time they will be hibernating.
The Cobweb Spider which is common in most (UK) homes can be active all year (females) and in summer & autumn (males)

The garden spider (fat, brown, white cross) is a June to November one.

[mountainboo]

thank you chijiki

[Orangesauce1]

I have just moved but during the last week I have hand a handful of spiders that are at least the size of a glass in the house!! are they coming into hibernate or do you think my house has a spider problem?

[gerkin]

Check your shoes / slippers when you put them on