What is this spider?

June 4, 2013 10:35 PM

Can you identify this hideous hermit crab looking spider? The pictures kind of suck because I only see him at night but: 1, 2, 3
posted by xmutex to Science & Nature (3 answers total)

It's an orb weaver of some sort - harmless unless you are a housefly or other such vermin.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 10:44 PM on June 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

A location is needed, but it looks like there's a cactus in the background. It's something similar to a Giant Lichen Orbweaver, like this one I found in San Antonio. The patterning and humps are similar, but there are several orb weaver species that are similar. Coloration is highly variable in orb weavers.

Either way, harmless.
posted by sanka at 5:41 AM on June 5, 2013

Response by poster: Location is San Diego, CA. Orb weaver seems like our friend.

Thanks guys!
posted by xmutex at 11:42 AM on June 5, 2013