What is this spider??

Question

I found a spider in my bedroom that I have never seen before. It was about the size of a dime (including legs), brownish tan, with a few white dots on the body and what creeped me out the most was the fact that it had two very small front legs and the next set of legs were longer and crab-like. It would feel with those and also use them as a means of protection. The legs were thick too. I went to pick it up in a paper towel and it went into a defensive stance with those two legs up in the air. I then decided it probably wasn't a good idea to pick it up. The rest is history. But I need to know what this spider was. Is it poisonous? I have a baby so I am kinda scared. Help! I live in upstate NY if that helps.

Answer 1

lived in NJ and what I found to be aggressive - defensive- as opposed to running away, was the "wolf spider"

in looks it is similiar to the jmping spider....

I used to play with jumping spiders though -- they jump away anytime you go near them... and - guilty- I like spiders....

----wolf spiders however, they rear like a stallion in a threatening manner "my turf" and I gotta laugh cause for their puny size - that little guy plans to "take you" lol.... seems he has that "go get 'em" NY attitude..... well, in part; because if you continue to approach - unless there is an egg sac, you know how mommies can be - they do however back down/off..

those were no fun really...no harm either though....

so, I would shoo them away or scoop into a cup and let go outside...

their coloring varies - the ones I saw mainly were almost grey-brown with spots

quote and links below -- I think this is what you had there:

Wolf spiders (figure 2) are common spiders outdoors and are occasionally seen indoors. They are moderate to large-sized spiders (1/4 - 3/4 inch long). Wolf spiders are found on the ground or under stones in a wide variety of habitats, such as forest floors, grassy meadows, swamps, and bogs. Some even like to live underground. They commonly hunt during the day or at night when it is warm.

Wolf spiders are dark-colored, usually brownish or grayish, with white markings.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distributio...

--- wolf spider is second down, jumping spider is up there first---

as for venom/poison - never been bitten (probably should have been) so I thought it best to find a website with the info as to whether or not;

there is a link (picture towards top) but if you scroll a little more than half way down - this is what you will see:

NOTE: this picture/drawing looks a bit different from the first

Venom toxicity - the bite of the Wolf Spider is poisonous but not lethal. Although non-aggressive, they bite freely if provoked and should be considered dangerous to humans. The bite may be very painful. First aid and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible, particularly as to children or the elderly.

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Spider Identification - an adult is 1/2 inch to more than 1 inch in body length - mottled gray to brown in color, with a distinct Union Jack impression on its back. The female carries it's young on its back.

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Habitat - this spider is a ground dweller, with a burrow retreat. It has a roving nocturnal lifestyle to hunt their prey and can move very rapidly when disturbed. Commonly found around the home, in garden areas with a silk lined burrow, sometimes with a lid or covered by leaf litter or grass woven with silk as a little fence around the rim of the burrow.

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CLICK HERE - FIRST AID - Wolf Spider Bite

link to above info/site:  http://www.termite.com/spider-identifica...

with most spiders you have no worries, hardly every seen little pest controls.... but, for the baby's sake -- if it is aggressive/near here is a site with some control methods;

note; it is almost all the way at the bottom of the page:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distributio...

hope this has helped

have a great - pest free- evening

edit: brown recluse is too dainty to be this one I think

  the st. stewart... I have been looking for it now.. never heard of it... and I can not find any info..... so I can not "rule it out" of possibilities for you

Answer 2

Try to google Spiders  or try the phone book under Zoology

One of them can help you.

Answer 3

i dont know i live in missouri and that spider sounds very simillar to the brown recluse which is a posinous spider that is probably what it is

Answer 4

Visit these sites -

http://www.spideridentification.org/

http://www.badspiderbites.com/spider-ide...

Answer 5

It could be a st. steward, Very low risk of being bit, but if so seek medical attention, i suggest you watch the baby at all times.

Hmmm....

I am scared of spiders too, lucky i live in a countrey where there are no toxcic spiders.

Check the web.

Next time take a pic.

I say stay away if it was lifting it's front 2 legs up.

Answer 6

Sounds like it could be a specie of jumping spider.

Compare; does it have this general body plan?

http://bugguide.net/node/view/1962/bgima...

Almost all spiders are venomous (not poisonous), but most are not capable of real harm to humans.  Some species of jumping spider can give a painful bite, but not as painful as a wasp sting.  I have heard it described as "3-4 days of discomfort in children".