Weird red spider identification

selina · #1 (**permalink**) 23-03-2011, 11:01 PM

Hi All,

Can anyone help me identifiy the spider i am going to describe, i dont have a picture...

It's about the size of a 10p coin, i think it had a dark coloured body with see through red legs, but it could have been completely red, i just remember the red legs standing out!! (not the greatest description, sorry)

I keep finding them in my house.. I live in London..

Any ideas would be much appreciated

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 10:51 AM

I haven't really got a clue with spiders, the only big red one I know is Woodlouse Spider:

Woodlouse spider - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Someone else will probably be more helpful though

Nige

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 07:42 PM

Yes that would be my first thought; Dysdera erythrina. If it isn't this species we will have to call in the experts.

Incidentally, Selina, although it isn't anything to worry about this species can 'bite' if handled. But it won't jump up and attack you or anything like that; just be careful if you want to give it a cuddle.

selina · #4 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 08:02 PM

Hiya,

Thank you for your replies!!

It does look abit like the spider in the picture although it had a different body and shape and was more see-through, just has the same legs...

In reply to giving the spider a cuddle i am 'terrified' of spiders ha!! But as long as i dont get an infestation of them i should be fine

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 08:10 PM

Just one more question, was your size estimation with or without legs? The normal practice is to just give body length (head to tail).

As a total alternative, some juvenile Araniella species can be rather red.

But juveniles of many species can vary in colour which makes them difficult to identify.

selina · #6 (**permalink**) 24-03-2011, 09:36 PM

Hey,

The whole thing was about that size, it was defo red legged with a darker body! Im scared of it haha! I see a smaller one a while back and that was even brighter almost orange. And just to mention I live in a ground floor flat, no garden! I don't no what they are but I don't like them, I'm used to the common black ones but never seen a red spider before.