I'm in Hickory North Carolina. I found this spider behind my house. I had a piece of lattice leaning against the outside wall of my house. This spider had built a web cocoon and was inside it until I pulled the lattice away and it opened up her cocoon. It is very reactive and aware of my every move. I've never seen one like this before. It's black and furry looking. The pattern on its back looks like a scary jack-o-lantern face. What is it?
Shay:
The spider in your image is facing head-down....It is a jumping spider of some kind, family Salticidae. They hunt "on foot" instead of spinning webs to catch prey, and they have keen eyesight. Their curious nature is often interpreted as aggressiveness, but no species is considered by scientists to be dangerously venomous to people or pets.
Your spider may be a female that is preparing to spin an egg sac; or a specimen of either gender preparing to molt (shed its exoskeleton to grow). Jumpers will spin protective silken "sleeping bags" to do both.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for the quick response! Yes, it looked like a jumping spider on steroids. I was going to set it loose across the street in the wooded area, but it escaped and is wandering freely around the outside of my house. Maybe I'll get to see her again!Originally Posted by Eric
"...jumping spider on steroids." LOL! Thank you for your great sense of humor, Shay :-)
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