This is not normal where we live! *PLEASE HELP*

I live in Ontario Canada. We are very different from the rest of the world when it comes to spiders. From what I know (which isn't much) we do not have spiders this way that can hurt you. So I was at the park near my house which is surrounded by a lot of forest, and my 5 year old girl was about to jump on a swing when this caught my eye. I prevented her from going on this, because of the spider I saw.

I was not really thinking hard about killing it until I returned home and showed some friends. We all believe this is not a spider that should be out this way. Can someone please inform me if I should contact the city because I do not want a child to get injured or hurt from this or its mother. This was the size of a nail but as you can see it is very hairy and looks like it can do some damage now and as it gets bigger.

thanks in advace

Can you give a measurement to 'the size of a nail' please?

That looks to me like one of the Jumping Spiders in the family Salticidae. If it is, it is completely harmless

Ken

It could also be a Phidippus type of spider, but whatever it is, it's just a spider. No need to be afraid, and certainly no need to call the city.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/girl-calls-911-over-spider_n_3835890.html

Definitely a harmless jumping spider in the genus Phidippus. Very, very few spiders are truly dangerous - see the 'sticky' at the top of this forum...

It was the size of a thumb nail.

Good to hear its harmless (if it is). I have not known anyone who knows much on spiders, so I appreciate all of your help. I have shown the photo to a handful of people and not one has seen a spider like this ever. That's what caused concern to me as well.

Thanks again

BC here. We get those a lot over here. I see they're making their way across the country...I apologize! ;)

NotA-- Please keep letting people know this is harmless and friendly spider! We see them often around our deck- we appreciate all their help. They have good eyesight and often look back at us.

You have never ever seen a tiny jumping spider? They are so common, even in Canada. I assure you you are definitely more of a threat to its earthly existence than you or your offspring are threatened by a very improbable bite. Please get your fear desensitized by people who are used to being outdoors. Also,please do not kill our living things out of a compulsion. That spider does not remotely look like any poisonous spider on the entire planet at all. I am glad you came here for some help. Good luck to you..


This message was edited Sep 22, 2013 4:39 PM

Ransom3, that wasn't the nicest way to put that. Perhaps, a little tact next time?

(my opinion, not that anyone asked) Ransom3 posted what many of us were no doubt thinking. Sure, it could have been worded with dainty, cute, sweet words, but some people need a proverbial 'slap in the face' to get their attention. Sorry if the truth is sometimes ugly, but this irrational fear of spiders may be passed on to the next generation. A little knowledge of spiders could alleviate the fear. Feel free to ban me for my words. I am moving away from this thread.

It's difficult to overcome a phobia with logic. A good way to change the current low opinion that people have of arthropods is to start young. We need to teach young children (I mean toddlers) that there is nothing to fear. When my son was about 2 years old, I caught grasshoppers for him to hold. I would place insects in his little hands and he would just laugh. Maybe some of you could volunteer at local elementary schools.... start a "know your insects and spiders" program.

apologies to this poster for anyone ever calling someone irrational or silly just because they posted a question here on DG. NASF3 certainly didn't deserve this "internet thrashing". i'm embarrassed to call myself a member at the moment and certainly wouldn't blame NASF3 for deciding not to become one either.
for the record, i don't think he/she sounded phobic at all....just concerned for her child's welfare. not everyone was raised in a barn.

I wasn't raised in a barn!!!!! In fact, grandma wouldn't let us bring our pets inside. No dogs or cats in the house, only humans. It's unfortunate that so many people today think the natural world is something to be afraid of. I suppose we could blame Hollywood and the news media.... "the real truth about deadly spiders, details at 11" or "Arachnophobia.... starring Jeff Daniels".

lol, i wasn't referring to you, kate.

I think it is rude and insensitive to call anyone a "horrible person!" (original exclamation included)

But written emphasis can convey unintended severity, which may not have been intended.

Let us note that the original poster "was not really thinking hard about killing it" until discussion with some others led to a general fear of the unknown potential danger. That's the human nature of some group "decisions."

So hooray for places like this that offer free education about spiders and insects. Knowledge is power. And people tend not to listen and be educated when they have been insulted and belittled.

FWIW I refuse to touch or live with a cockroach, even if it's pretty much the same thing as a cricket or grasshopper. It's my irrational fear. Sorry. Sue me.

well said, sally.

NotASpiderFan33, please don't take this experience as the norm here. It isn't. Most of us have made good friends here and wouldn't give them up for anything. We did that by being kind, understanding and helpful.

Ahem. Everyone has an "edit" link in the left-hand column next to each of your posts. I agree that name-calling ("horrible person" is name-calling) is inappropriate and not in the spirit of what DG has always stood for.

However, we would much prefer that anyone who crosses the line in a post will edit and temper their own words than require an admin to edit for them. That's what the edit function is for.