Spider ID... Not a wolf spider?

[DunbarSpiders]

Hi all,

I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and have been finding loads of these spiders in my basement suite. My landlord, who lives upstairs, likes to photograph spiders so every now and then I catch one for him. He told me that these are wolf spiders, but after doing some research, I'm not convinced- they don't have the body mass that wolf spiders seem to. To me, they look more like european house spiders or something along those lines. The largest ones than I've seen have had legspans of about 3 inches, and I always seem to find them at night (not sure if that's a coincidence of if they're nocturnal). Sorry that the picture isn't better, but any ideas would be appreciated!
Thanks for your help!

 

[Crel]

Looks like a male Tegenaria gigantea to me.

 

[Ciphor]

Looks like a male Tegenaria gigantea to me.

Yup, mature male Tegenaria gigantea. Very common right now in the PNW, as the males are out seeking mates. Yours looks like it needs a meal or two

They are pretty docile/gentle towards people btw, nothing to worry about.

 

[Niffarious]

I can third that ID.

Tons of these in my Vancouver basement suite as well. They don't often make it past the whippets (I guess these guys taste extra awesome to dogs?) though...

 

[Ciphor]

I can third that ID.

Tons of these in my Vancouver basement suite as well. They don't often make it past the whippets (I guess these guys taste extra awesome to dogs?) though...

Mine get absolutely shredded by common house spiders. So far this season I've counted 13 dead mature males in common house spider webs.

 

[ecooper]

Normally we get a lot of these spiders in our house at this time of year. But this year I haven't seen even one. Its a bit frustrating actually because I'd really like to photograph them!

EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

 

[DunbarSpiders]

Thanks for your promt replies! I've been forced to confront my spider fears living in this suite.. I've been finding big ones like that on maybe a weekly basis, and multiple smaller ones a day. Nice to know they're not harmless, but they definitely still make me jump.

Ecooper... You're welcome to my spiders if you need models!

Niffarious.... May I borrow a whippet?!

 

[Ciphor]

Thanks for your promt replies! I've been forced to confront my spider fears living in this suite.. I've been finding big ones like that on maybe a weekly basis, and multiple smaller ones a day. Nice to know they're not harmless, but they definitely still make me jump.

Ecooper... You're welcome to my spiders if you need models!

Niffarious.... May I borrow a whippet?!

Smaller ones are probably Tegenaria domestica as they are also actively seeking mates right now. in a few more weeks you will see more grass spiders and hobos out and about.

 

[ecooper]

Thanks for your promt replies! I've been forced to confront my spider fears living in this suite.. I've been finding big ones like that on maybe a weekly basis, and multiple smaller ones a day. Nice to know they're not harmless, but they definitely still make me jump.

Ecooper... You're welcome to my spiders if you need models!

Niffarious.... May I borrow a whippet?!

Ha! Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!
,
EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com