What's that bug?

August 6, 2010 8:22 AM

What's that bug? Can you help us identify this spider? Found in a hallway in southern California.

The (horrible, industrial) carpet pile in the picture should help give a decent size estimate, but beyond that, I'd estimate that including the legs, it's the size of a penny.

The picture is indoors, but not 15 feet away is a heavily trafficked door to the outside that is very poorly sealed.

posted by Barmecide to Pets & Animals (6 answers total)

I am in California and I find these in my house all the time. hope someone knows what they are! they resemble brown recluses just enough to be freaky, but apparently recluses are unrecorded in CA.
posted by changeling at 8:29 AM on August 6, 2010

Best answer: It's hard to tell, but I think it's a male Woodlouse spider (Dysdera crocata). My favorite site for identifying So. Cal. spiders is Dr. Bryant's Spiders on the Web (and other Arachnids) of Orange County, California (and nearby places).
posted by RichardP at 8:37 AM on August 6, 2010

Response by poster: That's it!

And a great resource as well. Thank you.
posted by Barmecide at 8:43 AM on August 6, 2010

We have them in Toronto, too. They tend to hang around any areas that you'd find woodlice, so check for water damage if this is in your home.
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:49 AM on August 6, 2010

One of my favorite spiders. Interestingly, one of the few with only six eyes. They also have some of the biggest fangs I've seen on any spider around my home.
posted by sanka at 11:03 AM on August 6, 2010 [1 favorite]

I'm spider friendly in my home, but these guys go out since they can test bite ya a good one.
posted by effluvia at 11:34 AM on August 6, 2010