The Huntsman Spider is the largest spider that I have ever seen in the park residence. One night when reading at bedtime, I happened to look up and saw a large spider on the inside of the lampshade. It was a smaller lamp but the spider was larger than the light bulb and took up at least half of the inside of the shade. Fortunately “she” must have been mesmerized by the light, because she stayed put through the process of unplugging the lamp from the wall and moving it through the house and out the door, where the lamp spent the night. Later I had the chance to talk to a native Floridian who told me how his mother controlled roaches in their home. She would save the large match boxes that were designed to slide open. She would place them on their sides with a small “doorway” left by opening the match box between a half and one inch wide. That was apparently just enough room for the Huntsman spiders to go in and out. During the day the spider could hide in the box where it was dark. At night when it was out hunting in the house, the box could be empties of the pieces of insect left over from the previous nights dinner.
This geocache is placed in Highlands Hammock State Park with the permission of park management. All locations must be approved by the Volunteer Geocache Coordinator Sarah Straub (DTISarah@gmail.com) and adhere to the guidelines set by the park for geocache placement.
Vehicles are not permitted to park on any roadway within the park boundary. All vehicles must park within designated parking areas. The park is open from 8:00AM until sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees are as follows: $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Camping is available in the park as well.
Highlands Hammock State Park's Website
For more information about accessing cache locations please visit the ranger station to view a copy of Essential Eligibility Criteria for Geocaching at Highlands Hammock State Park.
Please remember to cache responsibly and stay on designated trails.