It looks to me like a common North American Tarantula or a California Ebony tarantula but the red mark is throwing me. There is a Mexican Red Knee tarantula also but it has a lot more red markings. This specimen also appears to be missing a leg on it's left side.

Do not kill it, it is likely harmless to humans. A tatantula bite is no more serious than a bee sting unless you are allergic. Just capture it in a jar and release it back outside. It looks like a male and males have been known to travel long distances during mating season.

I still could use better information on it. More pics from the side, top and read might help also.

I'm pretty good with my spiders and snakes.

Teacher's Birthday
 

My home is in Southern California. I can no longer find the spider this evening. And even if I could, I am NOT getting any closer to it to take a better picture. It is about one inch big. I did notice a non-orb like web in the window, which I presume is from this particular beastie.

Hmm. I still stand by my initial assessment that it is a harmless California Tarantula. Probably immature as they grow much larger and live for around 28-30 years.

Just as an aside, they make good pets and teaching tools. If you're into that sort of thing. If you can, capture and release is a good policy, that species is your friend.

Wish I could be of more help.

Good luck

Brian

HA! it might NOT hurt me but it sure could make me hurt myself!!

Yep. I've seen a 1 gram bee whip the shit out of a 200 pound man indirectly.

bruce! that video makes me sad!

That's why it's in WTF, but cheer up, I'm pretty sure it's fake.

Thanks for the information. If said spider and I once again cross paths, I'm disinclined to do anything except scream like a little girl. I'm a bugophobe through and through, except for butterflies. I'm not even too crazy about ladybugs although I like looking at them.

If I see it again, I'll consider asking the neighbor's 13 year old son to retrieve and release it in my garden to feast on other yucky things.

Most definitely fake. Horrifying but fake.

Yeah, it's fake, but a great one.

Somebody told me ladybugs can bite or pinch or something, but they've never bitten me and I've handled a lot of them. They can suddenly fly up and get you in the eye, though.;)

OK. I asked someone who knows more than I on the subject and his opinion is that it is a harmless jumping spider of the family salticidae.

Does this look like your visitor?



If so, it'll be about an inch long, jump around, is not aggressive and can safely be evicted.

I am always fighting with the wife and kids to leave the spiders in the house alone. They are a good house guest.

Very similar. The mark on the abdomen is the right color, as are the stripes on the ends of the legs. The abdomen didn't seem to have so many spots on it, though, but I suspect that's akin to a ladybug's varied spots.

Thank you very, very much for the great information, Brian!