However, the Hobo spider is becoming less common here, is preyed upon by other spiders here, and is not a good climber so would unlikely be seen on a ceiling.

In our house we commonly see large spiders. My wife is freaked out about them and squishes them on sight, but the truth is they are great helpers in keeping other pests out.

I had one in the corner of my living room near the ceiling that was so enormous, I don’t think I have ever seen a bigger spider. A friend named it “The Big Hideous”, and it looked very much like your spider here. It must have lived there for nearly a year – I fed it when I could – and it finally died about two weeks ago.

I have come to terms with my apartment full of spiders (there are so many), and have been fascinated by their various methods of trap and nest building. You take stunning photos, and it is a real treat to see their activities close up. Nicely done.