Yes we totally did!! It was an enormous project years in the making. We started off by including over 250 species of Australia's most common spiders and we're about to do a major update with loads more to add. Every spider has had its studio portrait lovingly taken to show off its best angle and all the bitey deathmaker 3000s have been given bright red labels (spoilers there are very few).
Yeah, you probably could have, especially if you know the best ways to pick them up without stressing them. There's a lot of conflicting information out there, but the cupping method (shown in link) works very well, if you're fast and confident. Simply letting them crawl across your open palm is generally safe and effective too. Tarantulas in the Americas tend to defend themselves with urticating hairs more than bites, but neither would be fun to deal with.
American tarantulas in general will run from you rather than try to stand their ground. People do get bitten sometimes, though. The venom in the new-world tarantulas is weak against humans, so the bigger problem when dealing with American tarantula bites is the physical wound you'd get from a big 1"+ fang. Because of the very small chance of a bite, the absolute best way to pick up tarantulas is to shoo them into a clear container, where you can then look at them without worry.
It's actually a yoga chaise, any surface is intimate if you make it so ;)
Edit: lol Thanks for the Silver, stranger. You've popped my silver cherry :)
It looks like a black widow, because of the location latrodectus mactans most likely.
Don't be too alarmed. If you do not crush them they won't bite.
The illustration is by the amazing Thomas Shahan where he has a few cool threads at teespring OR you should definitely check out his illustrations/photography on twitter and Instagram!
Nice find! The genus is Psecas, from subfamily Marpissinae. Woo! - found this photo while looking for a good comparison. Such a pretty little spider. Makes me want to go visit the jungle.
No need to be concerned or call an exterminator. They are in your backyard and will stay in your backyard, if there are any left.
If they are somehow in the way, you can just scoop them up with a cup and a sheet of paper. To be extra safe wear gardening gloves.
Their danger is blown our of proportion BTW.
Given that you found her in the US it is much more likely that she is a juvenile black widow.
What you describe is typical behaviour for a black widow. So while they have a medically significant bite, they do not try to waste their venom on you or your children. I guess the best course of action would be to tell your kids about black widows, and that they should not harass them. Just relocate her and give her a new home away from your children.
I second the brown widow and no black widow has killed anyone in decades. While their bite is medically significant (as in maybe go to a doctor for observation and get some painkillers, not as in OMG I'm gonna die), they are very timid and you have to really work to get bit. Brown widows have similar temperament but have less potent venom.
In that case it looks a lot like latrodectus variolus. Don't be alarmed. While northern black widows have a medically significant bite, they are quite timid and would rather run away or play dead than bite. Even then, many of them deliver dry bites.
Just take a plastic container and a sheet of paper, put the container over the spider and slide the paper between the container and the surface the spider is on. Now she is trapped and you can take her some place safe for everyone. Black widows like secluded dry places, and as long as there is a good food supply won't stray far from their hiding places.
It does look like a black widow.
Next time just take the shoe outside and dump the spider. Black widows are very reluctant to bite and there venom is not as bad as the media make it out to be.
Just remember to check your shoes before you put your feet in, because being squished pretty much is the only situation where a widow will bite.
Black widows and brown recluses like warm secluded damp places, so don't leave used towels or worn clothes lying around unless you want more such encounters.
Black widows as any other spider can be safely relocated with a see through container and a sheet of paper. No need to kill them. To be extra safe, wear sturdy gloves during the relocation.
So two things, from one father to another, u/DrachenDad:
Lice are insects, which are Arthropods, but not Arachnids.
You might really enjoy the book Arachnids by Janet Beccaloni. It has the odd typo here and there, but nothing affecting the meaning, and it has tons of arachnid porn, nice glossy photos. It was recommended by a graduate student in Entomology and I have never regretted taking my time to read it from cover to cover (https://www.amazon.com/Arachnids-Janet-Beccaloni/dp/0520261402). I borrowed it from the library, so I do not still possess a copy.
No need to spray, just wear gloves when moving boxes and look before you stick your hands in dark corners.
If you find one just relocate her as you would any other spider. As long as you don't squish them, they do not bite.
There is no risk getting closer. The only spider with a medically significant bite in your area is the black widow and that is not a widow. On top of that it is really hard to actually get them to bite.
Guarding the plants and lethal to bugs. I cannot tell you what spider it is exactly but the only spider with a medically significant bite in your area is the black widow, and even those aren't out to get you.
Portia! Thank you, could not for the life of me remember its name... seems like that neuron was fried by excessive beer-drinking.
Here's a nice-looking (but slightly old) summary article, though might require university access. Just googling it in Scholar throws up a nice pile of interesting papers, which I really need to ignore in order to get some work done... ;-)
ugh, don't remind me about bugs in computers. (I don't mean to call spiders bugs, I love them more than that, but this is my reasoning...I do computer repair. You should see the rest of my album...)
Unless you try to hug her, she won't bite you. For a healthy adult even a full bite will be painful, but unlikely life threatening.
If you don't mind her in the garage, leave her be. If you want to relocate her, do it as with any other spider, but wear gardening gloves, just to be extra safe.
No need to kill them, relocating them works as well. They don't wander far.
A cup and a sheet of paper/cardboard will work as would a long stick to scoop up the spider with the tangled web. Wear gardening gloves to be extra safe.
A good place for them would be underneath a stack of logs or between some rocks.
But anyways unless they are in a place where you regularly reach poke with your fingers, they will leave you alone. Their danger is overrated BTW.
If you didn't find a squished spider it is very unlikely that a spider bit your family member. Here is some interesting reading on black widow bites, or lack thereof.
Sometimes a profile shot helps, but no shame in just sticking with Micrathena outside of North America.
Probably got in, and couldn't get out. Put some behind your toilet and in the bottom of the linen closet, if you have one in that area. Keep an eye on both sides of your towels.
The "mouth dangly things" are the pedipalps. They are kind of the arms or hands of spiders. Getting a closer look at your photo, they look a bit bulbous, so this one might be a male. You have no more to fear from the pedipalps than from the spider's legs.
While grass spiders probably can pierce your skin with their fangs, they have no interest in doing that and their venom is harmless to humans. At worst it will feel like a bee sting, if you actually manage to make the spider bite.
The only spider with a medically significant bite native to your area is the female black widow, and you have to jump through a lot of hoops to make her bite.
Seconded. Despite their medically significant venom, they are quite harmless (unless you try to squish them). Just leave her alone and she will thank you by eating lots of bugs.
If she is somehow in the way just relocate her with a cup and a sheet of paper, or a long stick. To be extra safe, wear gardening gloves.
Don't mention it.
While both spiders have quite potent venom neither of them actually wants to waste it on non-food creatures like you. As long as you don't (accidentally) try to squish them, they will not bother you. That's why most tips include reducing possible hiding places and make those that cannot be removed less accessible to the spiders and/or check them before getting your skin near them.
For the black widow there has even been a study of its threat response. Here is a summary of the findings.
Nope. No spiders are hostile. Unless you squeeze them they won't bite.
On top of that no orb weaver has venom that can harm humans should you manage to make them bite you.
The only spider with a medically significant bite in your area is the western black widow, but she would rather run away or play dead than bite you
A spider's pedipalps are not legs but appendages used for sensory functions, manipulating prey, and mating.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedipalp
https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-pedipalps-and-how-would-you-describe-their-appearance
Oh, I'm just an amateur. My interest in the alien world of spiders started maybe between about a year ago. From that point on, I'd dig up literature on them wherever I can to learn as much as I could. Silk and venom are the two topics I really got into.
Most of the outer physiology-related stuff I learned on this very subreddit. All of the ID threads are interesting because the IDer will often times either link to more information about the species pictured or explain how and why he came to the conclusion that he did. This taught me a lot about things like eye patterns and the extremely broad range of shapes of bodies and body parts that spiders have.
The best ID threads for me were where two or more experienced posters would disagree on the ID and start listing minute details that differentiate species. That really made me appreciate the massive diversity amongst spiders, particularly in a culture where they're dismissed as a monolithic "bunch" of base arthropods, scurrying around aimlessly, simply taking up space.
Arachnology still seems like a field with a broad frontier, and one of the biggest regrets in my life is not going down that road in college. The internet is still a wealth of information, though. Wikipedia's a great source on the topic (despite the hivemindish bashing in the academic community), as is BugGuide. Although the latter is focused only on North American spiders, it makes up for it by its massive library of photos with plenty of descriptive tags for searching.
For everything else, there's Google and Google Scholar.
Seconded. Don't freak out though. Black widows, while having a medically significant bite, are timid and would rather run away than bite.
They normally don't wander much. If you can live with its location (like in the garage), just leave it there, the spider will thank you by eating the bugs. Maybe put up a sign not to blindly stick fingers into dark corners.
If you do not want to keep it where you found it use the usual paper and container method, which works with any spider. Take a (see through) container and a sheet of (sturdy) paper that is bigger than the opening of the container. Put the container over the spider and slide the paper between the container and the surface the spider sits on. Now the spider is trapped and you can take it wherever you want. If you want to be extra careful wear garden gloves, but the widow's danger is overrated
From your description it probably is. Sometimes the hourglass is not as obvious.
Still you have little to fear from a black widow unless you blindly poke your hand into dark hard to reach areas.
If you are not comfortable with the spider being there, just take a container and a sheet of sturdy paper to relocate it outside. Wear sturdy gloves to be extra safe.
Yep. In the railing here. Every single gap had an orb web in it.
(oh and for my own sanity I'd like to point out that I was not staying at the monument to decadence that you can see across the pond there, I just lucked into a free day pass)
i see this when i look at it https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/closeup-portrait-shocked-horrified-worried-stressed-174028064
back on topic. i wonder if that is some form of defense from predators?
If you're located in North America, I can't recommend Common Spiders of North America highly enough. It's pricey and a little large for active field use (being akin more to a textbook than a field guide), but the illustrations are gorgeous and it contains a ton of useful information about spiders in general. There's also a Kindle version which might be useful in the field since you could access it on your phone.
hi, some images of Lasiodora. Because I still don't think that looks like a rose hair.
If you find a spider, gently escort it outside using a box. This way, the spider is out of your house without either of you getting harmed. However I have heard that Citrus, such as lemons/Oranges and such can be used as a natural repellent against spiders (Someone else please confirm).
Sounds like a phidippus jumping spider. Black widows have very small eyes. They are slick and not hairy and they hang out in or near their cobwebs.
Even if it were a black widow, there is no need to worry.
Not really, they are not social spiders. They are curious though, so you might see another one soon or the next time might be in years to come. If you want it gone just put your hand next to it and it will probably crawl/jump on it, or use the usual plastic cup and paper method.
How old is your kid? It might be a good opportunity to teach them that these bug catchers are nothing to be afraid of despite their weird appearance.
BTW the only spider in your area with a medically significant bite is the black widow and you really have to work for getting a bite from one of them.
I agree that this looks more like a false widow than a true widow.
"Widowman" has some good pointers for distinguishing between the two when you can't see the underside of the abdomen: Differentiating Between Latrodectus and Steatoda Species.
Exactly, as long as you see the spider there is no danger. It will either run away or not bother with you at all. It gets tricks if you reach into dark corners where it might hide. Then you could accidentally start squishing it, you might get bit. Even then quite a few deliver a dry bite. So as long as you look where you put your hands you are in no danger. If you find the widow again just relocate her with a plastic cup and a sheet of paper. If you find her in her web, you might get better results with wrapping the web around a stick.
I second the identification.
For education on spiders r/spiders will offer more information and ID request are better posted there.
BTW the only "dangerous" spider in your area is the female black widow and you would really have to try hard to get her to bite.
Hard to tell from the corpse but I think it was a giant house spider.
Anyways there is only one spider with a medically significant bite in your area and it is quite difficult to get black widows to bite. So there is no need to squish every "eight legged monster".
Any spider can be safely relocated with a container (e.g. plastic cup) and a sheet of paper/cardboard. Pu the container on top of the spider and slider the paper between the container and the surface the spider stands on. Turn the container around and the spider will be trapped as most of them cannot climb sheer surfaces even if they manage it, you still have the paper on the opening. Take the container some place safe and let the spider out. If you are worried about the spider being dangerous, wear gardening gloves, they won't bite through that.
Google Scholar is your friend. Feel free to research with specific terms - for example: spider evolution silk
Well there are so many different species, so it probably was just a different one. Do you live near water?
Whatever it was, it is harmless. Since you are out of brown recluse territory the only medically significant (as in better stay under observation and possibly take some medicine, not OMG I'm going to die) spider in your area is the black widow. Black widows do not usually run around and are actually timid and reluctant to bite.
Not sure if it helps, but black widows are the only medically significant spiders in your area and are very timid and reluctant to bite(Link contains text and a couple of pictures of spiders). So unless you (accidentally) try to squish them they won't cause problems.
The first suggestion is to get a CAT - they will hunt/eat the spiders, and the poison doesn't effect them as bad as some mammals.
Next is to spray with peppermint or citrus scents across their pathways.
here are a few links:
Some suggestions - and More ideas.
Very cool - thanks for sharing! The full article is available via ResearchGate.
It looks a bit like a Nemesidae, a family of trapdoor tarantulas.
EDIT: I've looked around a bit, and Antrodiaetus pugnax may look like this one.
Well, what helped me get over my fear of spiders was to learn about them. Most people agree that learning is the first step. I usually recommend <em>The Book of the Spider</em> by Paul Hillyard, because he writes and presents facts about spiders in a way that is fun to read. Reading his book was one of the major factors in changing me from an arachnophobe into an arachnophile.
Here is a pic of her web What we thought was the coolest thing was the funnel shape of the web.
May I suggest a book?
I love this book, I cherish it! I love spiders so much and there's just so much information in here! And there's an awesome section for Wolf spiders which shows their anatomy, females and males! :)
naw, found it on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N6P8BFT?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details
Feels a little flimsy but I'm pretty satisfied with the price.
I had a this guy trying to help a few years back. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNyjPHb0gYyLnGl_DLxNcrzpJBjsYsD8uaCsutJEhkG3uGtjYxv5gv1rrY3LAH_bQ?key=eEdzQ2tMUEVob0Y2U19XTnF1TFhaa29ZMV9JS0xB
Microscope This is the microscope I bought. But that was 2 years ago, so there are probably better ones available for around the same price. There are definitely better ones available if you’re willing to spend more.
The book was written in the early 1900s, so it's a bit old - but I found the author's observations pretty interesting and still relevant. The book is available for free at many sites online including Amazon for Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Spider-Jean-Henri-Fabre-ebook/dp/B0082UJVXC
Recently read this article. It is much more in depth than my go to text about the "danger" of black widows.
And concerning the shed, make sure that there aren't any cellar spiders, they eat widows for breakfast.
Paper + cup method works pretty good, but can sometimes be a bit finicky. I have heard the Critter Catcher works pretty well if you have a fair amount of critters.
Actually beneficial. Probably deathly afraid of you in return. Maybe name him in your head to help stop the phobic reaction, I like to call them Bob or Jim, I am no longer at all afraid of them though. Ask someone else to relocate him.They make a "spider relocation tool" that gently picks them up and you can take them outside yourself.
​
https://www.amazon.com/My-Critter-Catcher-Spider-Insect/dp/B0192MB5RS
If you want to remove them without killing, and is afraid of getting near, I like these critter catcher thingy. I believe the device won't harm them, trap them securely until you release them with the trigger after bringing to a location you feel safe releasing them.
They didn't make it, unless they are selling a bunch of them on amazon
Foelix's Biology of Spiders is the gold standard for biology. Someone uploaded the entire book as PDF.
Is it possible to baby spider-proof her home until the eggs hatch then release? Any ideas on how to do this? I have never cared for any type of spider before… She lives in this terrarium
Also, her tank is getting pretty dirty. Would it be okay to clean the mealworm carcasses and such out, or would this disturb her too much?
Seconded large tongs. If you plan on keeping inverts past being a spider midwife, they are a must.
They’ll stay there forever if you don’t flush them out honestly. So many tiny spaces for them.
The skirt is something you could throw together.
But here’s an actual link for something that would be super easy
Just put some weights on it so it doesn’t fly away, and any ol bug bomb should be fine.
Love spiders, just not in my car lol
PlazMask Pre-Taped Masking Film, 5-Feet X 65-Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XDLLYK5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_NN3KT3Q19N4WQ3Q9XKZA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
If you really want to get rid of your fungus gnats, get some Bacillus thuringiensis, make a solution, and water them with it.
I got mine from a local place, but I believe it's the same model as this one! The claims on that page are bogus though, it doesn't magnify anywhere near that highly. But as a fun hobbyist camera rather than a serious tool, I love it.
Hi friend! I think this is absolutely beautiful!
If you want to give your resin a nice shine and polish I would recommend using micro mesh pads. You start at the highest grit and slowly work your way up to the finer ones.
You also can throw on some Plastx to give it a nice shine.
Micro MESH Soft Touch Sanding Pads https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_VGQ8XJXAXAGJ7A944XKR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Of course, I used a pretty cheap resin kit I found on Amazon but they’re are some better quality ones for sure. And I also used this tutorial I found on youtube.
No, it is nothing dangerous. I am not quite sure what it is but there is only one spider with a medically significant bite native to PA, the black widow. And even that spider will do almost anything not to bite you.
It might have been a some kind of huntsman spider.
You have found a black widow. Don't worry, she is not as bad as many people think.
If she is not in the way, just leave her be and she will thank you by eating lots of bugs.
If she is in the way, place a plastic cup over her and slide a sheet of paper between the cup and the surface she is standing on. Now she is trapped and you can take her outside. A secluded dry place would be perfect for her. To be extra safe wear gardening gloves.
Black widows have medically significant venom, but they are not as dangerous as many people think.
u/joot78 is right exposure and knowledge seems to help as many former arachnophobes here attest. Maybe start with r/spiderbro as this subreddit tends to have more "cute" spiders and encouraging titles.
Good luck getting over your arachnophobia.
Not black enough for a black widow. Because of their similar look, several spiders in the steatoda genus are commonly called false widows. They are harmless though and even black widows are a lot less dangerous than most people think. Unless you start squishing them with your fingers they much rather run or play dead than bite. Even if you get them to bite, many apply dry bites, and a full dose of the venom most likely will not have lasting consequences for a healthy adult. You can relocate black widows just as any other spider, just wear gardening gloves to be extra safe.
No worries, so while my comment does say worldwide initially, the reply recommended a great UK based one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0691204748/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_glt_i_ADBEBZJVJNHS19WJRVE9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I also wanted something basic for spiders further afield with good visuals so I personally also picked out Spiders of the world - Norman I Platnick which has great photographs, shows distribution, characteristics and is just a really awesome book imo
To be fair to the topnotch "author" of this piece, the shutterstock image she used is in fact titled "close-up of a brown recluse spider" - link
So the error didn't originate with her, she just didn't bother to look at a second picture. Because after all, it's a clickbait site.
If it were a black widow you could breathe easily too. They aren't as bad as the media makes them out to be. While they do have a medically significant bite, you are unlikely to have lasting consequences unless you are a small child or very old and/or sick. On top of that they very rarely bite. They much rather run and hide or play dead.
If you find one. Treat her like you would any other spider. Leave alone if she is not in the way, relocate her, if she is. Wear gardening gloves to be extra safe.
A brown widow bite is considered unpleasant (if you get one to actually bite you, they are very timid) but not medically significant. Black widows BTW are very reluctant to bite as well, and the danger of their venom is overstated.
There are no brown recluses (loxosceles reclusa) in or near Sonora. The other spiders in the loxosceles genus are also painful but not medically significant. I assume the violin spider is just a common name for loxosceles reclusa. None of them (including the brown recluse) are aggressive and also only bite if directly squished against your body. So some basic precautions would keep you safe: don't leave damp clothes/towels lying around. They like damp dark places, keep your bed a few inches away from the wall so they do not accidentally wander in, turn over your shoes before putting your feet in. I wouldn't be surprised if you do those things already because of the scorpions out in the desert.
Here is some info how unlikely it is for the black widow to ruin your day.
If she is out of your way, she won't bother you at all. If she is in your way just relocate her with a plastic cup and a sheet of cardboard. To be extra safe, wear gardening gloves.
Define real damage. The various black widow spiders are also considered medically significant. It s pretty difficult to get them to bite though.
I don't know how to discourage them from taking up residence there, but just as with any other spider you can relocate them with a plastic container and cardboard, or just a long stick. To be extra safe wear gardening gloves, but black widows are not aggressive and would rather run away than bite you.
If you release her a couple hundred meters from your house she won't come back. Black widows like dry secluded areas, like in a wood pile or between rocks.
If you do not try to eat them it won't matter if it is poisonous ;)
The word you are looking for is venomous and nearly all spiders have venom to incapacitate their prey, but since no spider considers humans as prey, very few venoms work on us. The only spider with a medically significant bite in your area is the black widow and widows almost never bite.
While their venom is potent, black widows hardly ever bite and there are rarely lasting consequences. Not touching them is good advice though as that is the only situation where they might bite. Even then a significant potion administer dry bites or bites with less than a full does of venom.
If she isn't in a place where your children regularly play and might want to boop the spider, just leave her be. Otherwise relocate her out of the way either with a cup and sheet of paper or with a long stick. Wear gardening gloves to be extra safe.
Don't worry, if the spider grabs you (i.e. climbs on you) you are safe, you are considered landscape. If you grab the spider, you could be considered a threat and may be bitten.Here is some more information about the danger of black widows.
I'm pretty sure you mean venomous.
If you bite it and you die, it was poisonous.
If it bites you and you die, it was venomous.
AFAIK there have been no studies on the hazards of eating spiders. ;-)
As to whether spiders are venomous, nearly all of them are, but that need not be a concern to you. While most of them use venom to incapacitate their prey, very few venoms have an effect on mammals in general or humans in particular.
AFAIK there are no spiders with a medically significant bite north of the Alps. In the south you might get the occasional black widow, but their danger is overrated.
If you are in Germany as your post about the wasp suggests, I can confidently tell you that there are no dangerous spiders here.
Actually all spiders are venomous, but that does not mean their venom is harmful to humans. Very few of them are. You are right about the dangerous spiders in Michigan and getting a black widow to bite is quite difficult.
Possibly but I don't think so, she's not black enough. To be sure you would have to look for the red/orange/yellow hourglass on the underside. While the black widow's bite can cause trouble, they hardly ever bite.
I think it is something in the steatoda genus.
The stick is one way of relocating her, the other is to use a container and a sheet of paper. Put the container on top of her and slide the paper between the container and the floor. Now she's trapped and you can relocate her. They like secluded dry spots. Wearing gloves is a good idea.
Also the danger of black widows is overrated.
And the only provocation reliably causing a bite is trying to squish them. Even then some of the bites are dry bites.
If the widow is in a place where you do not want to have it, take a plastic container and a sheet of paper, put the container on top of her and slide the paper between the container and the floor. To be extra safe wear gardening gloves. Take her somewhere safe for her and you. They like dark dry secluded places.
Alternatively you could also take a stick, hold it near her, let her climb on it and move the stick somewhere safe.
BTW what happened after you dropped her? I ask because besides running away another defense mechanism of the black widow is to play dead.
Colorful little black widow. She looks like Latrodectus variolus. Don't worry about her, she won't bite unless you try to squish her.
If you want her gone, relocate her with a plastic cup and a sheet of paper. She would like a similar hiding spot. Dry, out of the way in a tight corner, like in a stack of wood.
While black widows do have a medically significant bite, they are very reluctant to bite (link contains pictures of black widows).
Sorry if this causes you anxiety, but East Texas is in recluse territory. You probably already know this but don't leave damp clothes lying around and check your shoes before putting them on, recluses like dark damp and warm spots.
Neither in Montana nor in BC there are dangerous spiders that look remotely like the one under the glass. Unfortunately I cannot tell you what spider it is exactly.
The only spiders with a medically significant bite in both areas is the black widow, and her danger is overrated.
They would have some.kind of sensory functions. There's a long and detailed study about the function of hairs on another type of spider here: http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/A_spider%27s_tactile_hairs
spiders that attach eggs to plants are not dangerous to people (neither were the other hapless victims of anxiety). The notorious banana spider is an urban myth of spiders shipped with bananas. All of the UK hype ON bananas never prove a ctenid. they keep their eggs with them, like a fannypac.
The picture doesn't do the striped justice, but might give an idea of the body type.
The stripes are about that vivid, but smaller and sharper. The spider isn't very hairy.
This was one of the more unusual looking spiders I've seen. Only a few mm at most. Also saw this gigantic fucker and this guy as well. Anyone know what any of these are? The region the park is in is called the Albertine Rift Valley, if that helps.
The best book for beginners in the UK is Britains Spiders by Bee et al which can be purchased here. The resource I use most is the World spider catalogue which has data sheets for every species in the world.
Here's the link where I purchased mine from. If you want a light colored shirt, the link is on that page as well. Looks like it's only available for the next 7 hours or so.
I think you all should run with it, make it a local mascot. Sure, it's not native, but neither are a whole bunch of widespread species.
I would go with a different font not in all caps; if you're looking for a handwritten look here's some free ones.
Markings, color and location are a good start. Other characteristics are length and width of the legs, geometry of the body (is the abdomen bulbous, how big is the cephalothorax compared to the abdomen). Eye arrangement can narrow it down to the family, but the eyes may be hard to spot.
Rather short hairy legs, the size and color would hint at a jumping spider but especially the black ones like phidippus audax usually have some obvious markings. Four legs angled to the front and four back is a pretty common pose for spiders so that unfortunately does not help.
Anyway, the short hairy legs rule out a black widow, the only medically significant spider in your area, and their danger is overrated. So definitely a cool dude.
As for the daddy longlegs, that is not a scientific name and three different families of creatures two of which aren't even spiders are referred to by that name:
No, in Maryland you have only one spider with a medically significant bite, the black widow. Black widows however are pretty reluctant to bite humans and still good bug catchers.