What are these? I keep finding them around my house and they seem harmless, my kids keep worrying

[Ziggoziggum]

They don't seem timid or aggressive, they just chill on the ceiling.
This question comes from the northern California border near Oregon

 

[Andee]

It looks like a woodlous hunter to me or dysdera crocata and considering where you are it's likely that. Not aggressive or anymore dangerous than most species of native house spiders. The reason you are finding them indoors is because they are a terresterial hunting species because they eat isopods.

 

[chanda]

That appears to be a harmless Hacklemesh Weaver - possibly a Callobius species such as Callobius severus.

Comparison pictures: http://bugguide.net/node/view/519738 http://bugguide.net/node/view/926205/bgimage http://bugguide.net/node/view/509164/bgimage

 

[Andee]

Ah you are right Chanda. Doesn't have big enough fangs for a woodlouse likely. Either way they are both harmless species and awesome pest control, great hunters <3 I love having them around ^^

 

[chanda]

It looks like a woodlous hunter to me or dysdera crocata and considering where you are it's likely that. Not aggressive or anymore dangerous than most species of native house spiders. The reason you are finding them indoors is because they are a terresterial hunting species because they eat isopods.

I don't see the massive chelicerae of Dysdera crocata: http://bugguide.net/node/view/1045342/bgimage


Edit:

Ah you are right Chanda. Doesn't have big enough fangs for a woodlouse likely. Either way they are both harmless species and awesome pest control, great hunters <3 I love having them around

Looks like you and I were both posting the same thing at the same time!

 

[Ziggoziggum]

Thank you for helping me! A lot of times my kids just want more sources than just my brain to reassure them about things in the woods, other family members of theirs tend to be a little nature-phobic. It kind of sucks because I've forgotten more about plants, bugs and other wildlife than most people I'd know had bothered to learn... Before I moved us away from the city anyway.

Maybe they'll stop freaking out and let them be, I love a spider who will relax with me while I act like it knows what I'm saying

 

[The Snark]

Children learn best by example. Make every day a snuggle an arach day?

A nephila got knocked out of her web by the dogs. The kids went freak out over this creepy fearsome thing.
So introductions were in order. The monster shrank to reality. Returned to her web the kids went out every day to say hello and check up on her.

 

[chanda]

Children learn best by example. Make every day a snuggle an arach day?

A nephila got knocked out of her web by the dogs. The kids went freak out over this creepy fearsome thing.
So introductions were in order. The monster shrank to reality. Returned to her web the kids went out every day to say hello and check up on her.

What a beauty! And great job introducing her to the kids and changing their opinions of her!

 

[Smokehound714]

definitely callobius, beautiful species!

 

[Andee]

This is one of my k. hibernalis who was a wild spider just a month or two ago. Now all three of them sit with me without issues (separately of course) you sounds like you'd be a jumper lover. Should check them out.

Enigma: