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WUFT | News and public media for north central Florida

Gainesville man's love and life are woven together by tarantulas

By Sotiris Konstas

September 10, 2025 at 8:14 AM EDT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHs9d2Ct_hI

Known for his lifelong bond with tarantulas, Gainesville local Robert Morris — more commonly known as “Spider” — found both love and companionship through a shared passion for these misunderstood creatures with his late wife, Joy.

Their collection became a testament to patience, curiosity, and the simple joys of life — a legacy that endures as Spider continues to honor both her memory and the natural world they cherished together.