I've seen a couple of these rude little things in the past few weeks, despite it being winter, when I should be getting a break from creepy crawlies. So far I've only seen them here in my living room, and they seem to be falling out of the ceiling, possibly through a nearby vent to the attic. I actually pulled one out of my HAIR the other day. I'm normally a fan of spiders but that is some unforgivably rude behavior. That particular unwanted guest was, I believe, of the same type as this one, but paler. My first guess is some variety of crab spider based on the legs, but then what is it doing indoors falling out of my ceiling?
They're very tiny, about the size of my pinky nail at best. Sorry I didn' think to chuck a size ref down there next to it before letting it wander off. My cat kept trying to sit on it. Thought me leaning down to take the photo was a sign I wanted to pet him. Behavior wise, once they hit the ground they hold very still. I actually poked this one. Thought it might be dead and wanted to make sure. Only thing worse than a rude guest dropping out of the ceiling is one that drops out of the ceiling and dies right next to you! It flailed around and balled up for a minute then went back to holding still. I didn't notice it walking sideways like crab spiders are supposed to. After I took the photo and went to google common oklahoma spiders it wandered off (or hitched a ride on my idiot cat) so I assume the stillness was normal behavior, not it being dead or hurt. The next time I spot one I'll try and take more photos, I'm sure it won't be long.
CLOSED: Spider ID help Oklahoma
This is indeed a crab spider (family Thomisidae), likely in the genus Xysticus - see http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/133945211 for an example. Many spiders will wander indoors and then be unable to find there way back outdoors. Ones like these are unlikely to actually set up permanent residence indoors...
Thanks very much for the ID! I'm pretty sure you're right!
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