I'm not having luck finding anything with these markings & characteristics, so I'm coming to the pros for help. One of the attached pics shows the spider deep in its web.
Giant Spider in Pickens County, SC
I tried AI & it thinks this could be a Dark Fishing Spider. That's the closest match I've found yet, but I'm still not certain. This spider's body is about 2.5" not counting the legs. It never leaves its web, which is high off the ground (5'-6') & it has massive fangs (if those are actually fangs). Can anyone confirm?
It's in the family Agelenidae. The largest North American species in this family would have a body length (less legs) of less than an inch. What appear to be fangs are its pedipalps.
Thanks for the help! I ruled out grass spiders because of its size. Its body is definitely over 2" in length. It's a huge spider. I'm in an area that's thick with spiders & the only one bigger than this guy was a Giant Lichen. I've been trying to find an opportunity every day to take a better picture from the top, but I think it's dying. It hasn't come out of its web in days.
I believe that you are grossly overestimating the size of your spider. The only spider in North America having a body length in excess of 2" is a tarantula.
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