What Kind of Spider is This?

Question

Ok, what kind of spider is this? If it helps I live in Southern Idaho, this spider is probably about the size of a dime and when you approach it, it almost looks like it wants to stand up.
Link to Picture >>>> http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/LisaDaisy36/spider.jpg

Thanks!!!!!

Answer 1

It might be a wolf spider. It's nasty looking, that's for sure. I do NOT like spiders.

Answer 2

Honestly, the people who answer here are all about wolf spiders, brown recluces, and black widows.
By your great behavior description, size and location info, and the picture, I'm pretty certain this is a 3-spotted jumping spider, Phidippus audax (aka the "typical audax").
Jumping spiders are kind of like terriers: they're compact and fearless, so unlike most spiders they don't run when you approach or poke at them.
Interestingly (see 3rd link I found during my search) this species is expanding in Idaho, and it preys on the hobo spider (whose bite causes dangerous reactions in people). So keep that jumper around!

Answer 3

The spider is definitely a species of jumping spider. They don't grow to be very large, usually don't build much of a web and are ambush predators. If you take a good look at the little guy, you will see that he has two large eyes on the front of his face. This allows for binocular vision and makes him an excellent predator. he relies on his vision to see his prey and then literally just pounces on it. If you "engage" them, so to speak, they will follow your movements and sometimes hop onto you...usually in a harmless way, hence the little fellow "standing up" when you approach it. Currently, they are doing studies to determine the intelligence of this group of spiders, as they seem to be more advanced in processing information.

Answer 4

It may be Phidippus audax, as candy2 says, but it may instead be Phidippus regius, as the spots look rather orange instead of white or yellowish, as audax usually is. Could be an artifact of the camera. Either way, it's certainly not anything but a jumping spider. Good spiders to have around.

Answer 5

By it's for legs and structure it's a breed of wolf spider (there are over 50 types)....non toxic to humans...itchy mosquito type bite if bitten. Doesn't weave a web but searches out prey in a set territory.

Many people purposely catch them and put them in garages and basements as they will hunt out poisonous spiders and kill them if they are in their territory. Good way to be sure you never have black widows or fiddle backs or centipedes or silverfish or roaches.