I live in Rochester NY. Today is May 24th. I opened my non-attached garage today at 3:30pm and found this less than 2 feet away from me. It didn't startle or move at all. I tried to move it with a stick to see what would happen and it just inched its way around the 2x4 piece of wood. I'm just super curious as to what this spider is. I kind of wish I wouldn't have seen it. Now I'm freaked out what else might be hiding in my garage.
The picture doesn't show a lot of detail, but this looks like a nursery web spider (family Pisauridae). That flattened stance with the first two legs held together is "classic" for this family.
Nursery web spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to ensnare their prey. Some of these spiders can get pretty big, but they are harmless to people and pets. If you don't want it in your garage, I would put it outside.
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"There is no shame in not knowing. The problem arises when irrational thought and attendant behavior fill the vacuum left by ignorance." --Neil deGrasse Tyson
HDance:
I agree with Ungoliant. We'll have a guide page for this species coming up shortly. Thank you for sharing your story and image, and for not "freaking out." :-) We'll help you with the next "mystery spider," too!
Eric
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