What is this?

phearamedusa · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 03:34 AM

I'm not a spider person, but I do respect the job they do as a predator, so before I get all wigged out thinking this is not something I want in my indoor garden area. Can anyone tell me if this is just a well fed house spider, a visitor for the winter, who may not survive(due to lack of food source), or something I need to worry about.

If better pictures are needed let me know and I'll see what I can do.

harrywitmore · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 08:36 AM

If by 'worry about' do you mean is it a danger to you? If so, then no it does not appear to be the only brown spider I'm familiar with that is a danger, the brown recluse. I suspect it's one of the small wolf spiders. You would be surprised at what they can feed on in your home.

beckdg · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 10:30 AM

does look like a wolf... but i don't see hair??? maybe it's just me but, don't wolfs have hairs?

wolf spider - Google Image Search

definitely not a recluse! brown recluse - Google Image Search

what state you live in would really help... you could just put it in as your location in your profile or post it!

harrywitmore · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 10:58 AM

It may very well not be a wolf spider but not all species of wolf spiders are alike and it's really hard to see any detail on this spider. But, I'm sure it's not dangerous. I never hurt these guys and let them do their thing wherever they are but me nor my wife are too concerned with having outdoor guest insid4e as long as they can survive. It's the lizards and frogs that we want to relocate outside so they can live without becoming a crispy critter in a corner somewhere.

phearamedusa · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 12:27 PM

I live in southern Ontario, Canada. The BF thought it might be a wolf spider. All that I saw was a fairly large (by my standards), brown spider with some paler markings on the back end. I did look on Google and didn't think it was a Brown Recluse either, but a second opinion is always nice. So he's welcome so stay as long as he likes.

beckdg · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 02:20 PM

The Nearctic Spider Database: Ontario Spider Species List
that is the reason i asked for a location.

i did agree it looked like a wolf and i am very familiar with wolf spiders... i've been bitten by more than 1 type of wolf.

here in pa wolfs can tend to be a problem in some areas as they tend to attempt to live to close to others in the winter time and some who are chased away by others may get curious and bite at a warm body under the covers.

the bites are extremely irritating at their WORST, and 1 lil guy is no problem. although they are widespread throughout the u.s., i do not know if any in canada may be dangerous or if there are any in ontario.

btw, my brother used to catch and keep them. we'd go out at night w/a net and get lil bugs and toss them at his web for him.

beckdg · #7 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 02:57 PM

hard to see markings in that photo but if it is this you'd know better.

yes better pics please.

phearamedusa · #8 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 03:10 PM

I don't need to go out and get him food, I can just feed him some blaptica dubia roaches like I do the Geckos. Thanks for the link, I checked it out and out of the pictures that I saw on lycosidae, i think this is the closest match, Trochosa terricola Thorell, 1856.

phearamedusa · #9 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 03:14 PM

I just checked out that last post beckdg, It seems like it might just be house spider. I just hadn't seen one that big before.

beckdg · #10 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 03:18 PM

it has got to be one of these guys???

look at the size and shape of the feelers!

they do look very similar but 1 is dangerous, the small ones are safe, big ones are safe. with the size of that one... idk safe or not?