Pisaurina mira "Big Mama"

there were 3 female nursery web spiders that i followed the progress of in the garden last year. big mama was the most special, for several reasons

most notably, she was HUGE!

i found her in a small decorative clay pot, clearly gravid. she was so calm when i handled her and let me get right up close to get a good look at her

she stayed in that pot for a few days, during which time i watched her begin constructing her eggsac, and when i went back out to check on her later that night, she had deposited her eggs into it and was finishing it up. i got video of the process, including before she started and was having herself a nice spa day (grooming herself REALLY thoroughly). it felt really special and intimate

this is a BEFORE photo. she really was ready to pop LOL