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Hey everyone! I'm new to this forum. Today I found a big spider in my son's room. I've found several of these mostly around the back door and sometimes in my laundry if I've dumped the laundry on the floor to sort. I'm wondering what type of spider it is. I've looked through several pictures of spiders and none of them seem quite right. I've looked at the wolf spider and it seems more hairy and also has two pairs of eyes followed by a quadruple. The brown recluse has a violin shape and seems that it may grow to be smaller than this spider. If anyone can help me identify what this may be, I would surely be greatful! I live in florida near the gulf, if that helps any.
**EDIT**
Some info in case you can't tell from the picture : This spider has markings on it's back similar to the wold spider, but almost no markings on the butt (Sorry, I don't know what it's technically called =P ) It had a small-ish gradient type darker spot that sort of faded and lighter pairs of dots on the back end. The back end was very smooth and the spider did not seem hairy, although it looked as if to have a velvety texture. The back end was oval in appearance and the legs all seemed to be of the same length. There were six eyes, three pairs in mirrored vertical inclines toward the front. The legs had no pattern to them, they were one color but had sharp hairs sticking out from them. That's about all I can tell you =)
You'vre given good details.
I am pretty positive it is NOT a brown recluse, so rest easy on that. Since it's not a recluse, or black widow, rest easy that it's not very harmful, if at all. I'll let the pros decide on the ID.
Sally g, thanks for the reassurance =) flapdoodle, could this wolf spider be female, younger, or a different type of wolf spider? I'm just curious to know exactly what it is =) it was a beautiful spider, the markings on it didn't look distinct like pictures I saw of other wolf spiders. It was a really really nice texture as well. It was beautiful. The pictures don't do it justice!
I agree on this being a beautiful spider. Not many people can appreciate their beauty. The large pedipalps point to this being a male. FD will correct me if I'm wrong.
It more likely is a male, as their palps are swollen at the terminal end. This is more reliable than the length of the palps - see http://bugguide.net/node/view/512530 for a wolf spider that has one male and one female palp.
