While moving a composter...

...we found this spider. It was about 1/2" across.

not sure what kind but he looks mean lol

He/she was actually pretty slow moving and seemed curious about us. We leave most of the predators alone in the gardens. Can never have too many!

Very true. yet even myself with certain spiders an bugs if I don't know or not quite sure what it is I will leave it alone

Makes for interresting viewing. I just wish I knew what it is.

let me try an see if I can find what this spider is....

I was thinking brown widow but I'm not sure.

this is a brown widow

here a better picture lol

Kind of looked like that but still now sure. I guess we can let in go for now.

Thanks for helping!!!

P.S. LOVE the sceen name!

your welcome im kinda with out computer at the moment sorry couldn't post right away. an thanks. an 100% true lol

Not to be an alarmist but, the ID of "brown widow" may be accurate.

I would be careful with this one. The body shape is very reminiscent of a black widow that I grew up with in Colorado.

I have not seen a brown widow that I am aware of but the body shape.

I did find a common Utah spider identification chart here: http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/utah-spider-key.pdf which may or may not be of help with this ID.

Bob

No worries, WC24 and Robertds. Spiders don't bother us, we don't bother them unless they're dangerous and in the house.

After doing a lot of research and finding another like this, I have concluded it is a Philodromus spp.

Thanks for everyone's help.

I've stayed out of this one mainly because the image was not clear enough for me to be confident of making a positive i.d., but I have serious doubts that this would be a Philodromus sp. Among other things, the pose is not characteristic, and Philodromus has the second pair of legs noticeably longer than the first pair. If you find another, please try for a clearer photo.

They move so fast, it's very hard to get one. After I posted that, I looked at more pics and I agree it doesn't look like it. I;m now leaning more towards the brown widow but I can't be sure. This one was slightly furry? Fuzzy? What's the term?