What is this spider?

chibicricket

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Jul 9, 2021
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I live in Virginia, and we sometimes get these spiders in our laundry room or out by the shed. I will say I'm normally not afraid of spiders, but the size of these things freak me out a little. As a size reference, it's on top of my outdoor turtle hutch, and that piece of wood is probably about 5 or 6" wide.
 

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darkness975

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I live in Virginia, and we sometimes get these spiders in our laundry room or out by the shed. I will say I'm normally not afraid of spiders, but the size of these things freak me out a little. As a size reference, it's on top of my outdoor turtle hutch, and that piece of wood is probably about 5 or 6" wide.
Dolomedes tenebrosus

I think a wolf spider?
Not this one. It's a Dolomedes tenebrosus.
 

The Snark

Dumpster Fire of the Gods
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If only lycosids got that big. The backyard trips with the flashlight would be like 50 yard line seating at the stadium.
 

chibicricket

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Ok thanks! I usually catch them and let them outside, but it's always a little startling when you first turn on the light and see a gigantic spider crawling around. We live in a big forest area, just haven't figured out how they've been getting in the house yet.
 

Biollantefan54

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Pretty sure dolomedes have Eyeshine aswell
They do! Many spiders do, it’s just Lycosids are the easiest and most common ones to find. I have found crab spiders, and other Pisaurids with their eye shine. Lycosids are just everywhereeeeee
 

The Snark

Dumpster Fire of the Gods
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it’s just Lycosids are the easiest and most common ones to find.
That covers it. In a large lawn at a relatives place outside San Diego the lawn lit up like a starry night. The smaller stationary lights were the occasional agelenids catching the light just right. The larger mobile ones were the lycos, in that yard out by the dozens.
 
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