ID This Spider

[RC]

Found it in my pool today. Looks like a wolf spider to me. We are located in the foothills in Northern California.

 

[Splat]

Re: ID This Spider

Could be, would have to know the eye configuration to be sure.

Why are we asking might I ask?

Bill

 

[RC]

Re: ID This Spider

Just curious.

By the way. I thought this guy was dead. I had him next to my computer looking at pictures trying to figure out what he was. When I grabbed the paper he was on to take him outside he kind of bobbed up and down. Scared the crap out of me. I thought maybe it was just a reaction from moving the paper, but when i got him outside I moved the paper some more and he moved some more. I then put him in a clear plastic cup with a lid and left him for a bit. Came back about 20 minutes later and he was very alive! Seems kind of aggressive. When I lift up the cup he raises his front legs up and jumps up and down.

 

[ne7800]

Re: ID This Spider

thr only good spider i ever seen was a dead one

 

[JB]

Re: ID This Spider

Don't know the name, but we have a lot of them around here. They are always near water and are common in shower and tub drains.

Perfectly harmless, as are most spiders. In fact most spiders, including Brown Recluse and Black Widow, are quite beneficial if just left alone.

 

[ebry710]

Re: ID This Spider

Looks like a wolf spider to me. Kind-a a naked tarantula. They have them in the Bay Area also.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: ID This Spider

Looks like a wolf spider to me too but I'm no expert.

A couple of months ago, I found one next to my fish tank in the basement. It was about the side of lemon - biggest one I've ever seen. Kind of freaked me out - I didn't want to kill him because I know they are good for a lot of things - plus, if I squished him, he was so big, I'm sure it would have left a big stain on the carpet... probably would have looked like a shotgun splatter. So, I had to wrestle that sucker down and ride 'em out of the house! YEEEHAWWW!!!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: ID This Spider

Great looking spider. We have nothing like that up here in the North (probably because these little guys would need 8 little snow boots)

But, I'm guessing it's a wolf spider also.

 

[BF]

Re: ID This Spider

We have nothing like that up here in the North (probably because these little guys would need 8 little snow boots)

But, I'm guessing it's a wolf spider also.

Looks like what we call Dock Spiders here... b/c.... wait for it..... they're always on docks!

They get big big... like 3" in diameter.... Xtra funny when someone tries to squish or swat one on the dock while person is in the water beside the dock... spider invariably runs on the water towards the person causing a major freak out. Harmless, but big.... so yes even up here we get plus size spidies. I try and maintain a "live and let live" policy at the lake, but these critters are creepy enough that sometimes it's hard to put the brakes on a distraught mom once she gets her hands on a canoe paddle.

I'll admit, wifey trying to look composed while screaming and slapping paddle on water while spider runs circles on the water around her makes me laugh hard enough that I cry. Happens at least a couple times a summer. Ah... good times.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: ID This Spider

If you haven't checked out wikipedia, check this out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_spider

I always love it when you go to cut a light on in our shed and you either put your hand through a web with the spider still on it or you find your hand is right next to a spider after you cut the light on .

Also you got to love it when walking through a big old spider web that has spider and all .

I've been bit by a spider before, right on the bottom lip, durring my sleep, I'm 100% sure it was a spider, you could see the bite marks when the swelling went down. My father has been bit 2 times on the hand, he had to be treated by a doctor.

 

[ebry710]

Re: ID This Spider

When I was a kid, I liked these spiders. They were the biggest spiders around and they looked cool. Especially when they rear up. Plus I had never heard of one biting anyone.

Stepping was not an option, since there is a chance they it might climb up your leg.

 

[Adjuster]

Re: ID This Spider

In Florida I lived lake side for awhile with lots of woods growth. I found a few of these spiders big as my hand. They were very well fed from the lake/woods insects. One time I caught one on the ceiling. Hit him with a little bug spray. Slowly one by one he lost his grip with his legs. Finally one leg left holding on and he let go. He hit the carpet with a very surprisingly solid thud. That was the creepiest thud I have ever heard.

 

[ebry710]

Re: ID This Spider

Doesn't surprise me. Florida as a rule has bigger bugs then anything in California. Your cockroaches even fly and are the size of footballs......on the other hand sand gnats are molecular and bite like dogs. But fishing is great.