ITYM *large* spiders.
As for strength abuse, I haven't gone below 10 AStr yet, but it's taken me about 3 spiders to gain 2 End, and you had better have plenty of regular food on hand while walking off the poison damage.
EDIT: Ah, spoke too soon. After accidentally bloating myself I got down to 9 AStr and 8 LStr. Got 13 End now.