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Comments & ID Thoughts
I live in Utah. I know this is t brown recluse territory, but it does resemble pictures I’ve seen. Would like to know if I should take precautions or if it’s harmless.
It’s spread is about the size of a quarter.
- Submitted by:
- Submitted: Jul 28, 2022
- Photographed: Jul 28, 2022
- Spider: Unidentified
- Location: Bountiful , Utah, United States
- Spotted Indoors: Basement or Cellar
- Found in web?: No
- Attributes:
Harmless roly poly hunter, Dysdera crocata.
I believe you are right. Otherwise known as a woodlouse hunter.
Yes. The easiest way to recognize this species is the big fangs that encircle and puncture through the soft sides of Woodlice/Roly Polies/Pillbugs. The fangs are usually visible, as they are here. There are many Dysdera species, but Dysdera crocata is the only one in USA.
I didn’t realize what a wood louse was until a guy pointed some out in a YouTube video I happened to watch last night. Now it makes a lot of sense why they need the powerful chelicerae/fangs. Awesome.
I think it’s really cool how the spiders evolved fangs that match the spherical body and the little vulnerable spot on specific prey. When the woodlouse is lying flat the spider can open its fangs (like long-horn steer) and jab the woodlouse or flip it. I have the spiders and their prey in my yard. I keep hoping to get a photo of one grabbing a woodlouse.
That is awesome. I know I have seen the spider up in Utah County, but not many, and not for a long long time. On this property I am now at in Sanpete County, a vast majority of spiders I have found are the Steatoda. Other than that, I have found one crab spider and I think a couple of jumping spiders. Someone in my sister’s neighborhood in Santaquin found a a mature male tarantula just hanging out in the side of their house. Lucky! Probably out looking for a lady. Thank you for the replies to my comments. I… Read more »