Spiders. Is there a website with pictures to help you identify a spider?

Question

I live in Northern California and I keep coming across these black hairy spiders, maybe with a white spot (cant remember) usually in the yard, does anyone know of a website to help me figure out what kind this is and if it is harmless or not?

Thanks ahead of time.

Answer 1

It sounds like a jumping spider.

http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&k...

If it is not one of these click on the spider symbol on the left.  It will give you a list of all the spider families, you can check each one.  The jumping spider is noteworthy for the 2 large eyes( +6 smaller) and usually it holds it legs close to the body.  If you tap you finger in front of it it will raise its two front feet in a menancing position and jump toward your finger.  There is a lot of variation in the color patterns.

Answer 2

Bugguide.net is the best North American bug ID site on the net.

It sounds like a Phidippus audax, or bold jumping spider.  They are common and probably the most common spider I see asked to ID on Yahoo Answers.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/2006

Answer 3

Yes, here are a few -

http://www.spideridentification.org/

http://www.usq.edu.au/spider/index.htm

http://www.arachnology.be/pages/Identifi...

Answer 4

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu43xT4VItM...

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu5wvUIVIhK...

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu5rXUIVIoa...

When you go to the links you will have to do a little searching around