Dolomedes tenebrosus
(Dark Fishing Spider)

Hi. No, spiders are not poisonous but they are venomous like ants and bees. Their venom is not geared to larger animals they don’t prey on so with most they are not medically significant. Everybody handles venomous bites and stings differently, so can’t predict how you may react. These big spiders are quick and will run from you before biting. I used to make challenge of catching them by hand and never bitten, my brother just grabs them, and got a bite, said it felt like a bee sting, and that was all. So these can bite if trapped against… Read more »

Really surprising how many people overcome fear of spiders learning how to keep them,read about them,and get to know them. My mom had a thing about spiders, not happy with some of my pets when I was 7, no way would she handle them.

Makes sense, these can be quick if spooked, but you get one on your hand, they become gentle giants. What catching them is like: (this is more the semi aquatic sort)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14KGY6G7Jjo

These are active hunters and don’t use web, sort of sit and wait ambush. They do make webs where they hide or keep their eggs and offspring, hence the name nursery web spider.