3 Mediterranean recluse spiders found in U-M library

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (FOX 2) - Three venomous spiders, each about the size of a half-dollar, were found in the basement of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor towards the end of January.

Three venomous spiders found in U-M Shapiro Library

The library was closed last Sunday and Monday. But opened on Tuesday, after a thorough cleaning.

So a spider expert had to be found - Professor Ann Danielson-Francois from the University of Michigan-Dearborn was given the spiders.

"I have a wonderful colleague who works on tarantulas there -who works on tarantulas," she said. "Of course you have to look at the genitalia because that's what sets the species apart. You have to put them under the microscope to see the details."

And these were ID'd as Mediterranean recluse spiders.

"The Mediterranean recluse is one of these cosmopolitan species, it hitchhikes with people throughout the world. It's been found in 22 states," she said.

But are they dangerous?

"They don't have a huge amount of venom, but they have enough to start necrosis, which is the eating away of the flesh," she said.

The library was closed last Sunday and Monday. But opened on Tuesday, after a thorough cleaning. A Spokesperson from U-M said that these spiders have actually been found from time to time in other basement buildings on campus.

No injuries were ever reported. Francious said she is going to put them to good use.