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Spider in Alabama
Hi Bugman,
I live in Alabama, and have recently found 3 spiders in my home in the last 2 days. Two of them were the same type, and one (the one I have the picture of) was of a different type. I wish I had a picture of the first type because it was the frightening looking one, about the size of the quarter, not hairy, didn’t look like a wolf spider to me, but what do I know? I’ll be on the lookout and if another one comes along I’ll be sure to snap a picture of it (but hopefully won’t have to do so). Anyway, here is the picture of the second one. The two pictures are of the same spider; they look different because one I used the flash and it washed all the color out and made the spider look gray. It’s actually colored more like the orange looking picture. Sorry the pictures aren’t great quality; my digital camera doesn’t do macro work too well. Can you tell me what kind it is? Thanks!
Anna

Hi Anna,
The spider in your photo is a type of crab spider, Family Thomisidae, possibly the Elegant Crab Spider, Xysticus elegans. It does not build a web and is often seen running along fences. It ranges from Maine to Georgia and west to Arizona and north to Alberta. It is harmless.

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