Need help with spider classification

[Slitherherp7]

A couple of days ago, my husband caught a small black spider and we were wondering what of spider it is. The spider is rather small, a size of a quarter, all black, and on its back there is a white image of a skull. We've never seen a spider like this before in this area, so just wondering what it would be. Thanks

[mnolan9876]

i found one that looked like that last year. Aggressive little guys! except the on the back it was more of yellow. and i was wondering the same thing.

[keller346]

do you have a pic? i have an idea but can't be sure unless i see it
Also where did you find it? i.e. porch, closet, plant, ect.

Was it in a web?
If it was in a web what shape was it?
And are the legs long, skinny, or fat?
Did it jump, run, or walk?
Was it hairy?
How many eyes?
also is it a shiny black or dull black?

If you can tell me these I might be able to answer.

I think it is a type of jumping spider but like I said not sureunless I see it or know more.

[eddie]

Hehe, it may be easier to find out what all your spiders are with a google search on 'spiders of ohio' as you will find good descriptions and photos to compare with

[keller346]

but they might not be native of ohio. The one I am thinking of is native of Indiana

[eddie]

True, but Ohio is the beginning point to a search and then surrounding areas.
Then again, spiders like most animals don't recognize states boundaries and can very well be native to both, if not most of the states in the region.

[Shuba]

Its similar to the black widow.. There not as tempermental as the ones with the red marking but can still pack a punch. Black widow females have red markins, and male black widows have white (or yelowish) markins. Both are dangerous.



If this is how it looks then you're dealing with a little venomous guy.. you might wanna get rid of it or put it in a warm place in a bush. If this is not how it looks, then im sorry :P

[AnAcOnDaMaN]

Do most of their bites even pentrate the skin because as I know they have VERY small fangs?

[Shuba]

The smallest prick is capable of penetrating and inserting venom. Most of the venom of snakes or spiders are pretty much bad to our skin weather its inside or out (ie: spitting cobra).. Having small fangs they are suprisingly sharp and will go in your arm like a hot knife in butter =)

[lethargiic]

if a picture of the spider and it's web found can be taken and posted it would be a lot easier to identify, but could possibly be a bowl and doily spider Frontinella pyramitela (Linyphiidae)
they are normally black with white markings on its abdomen and are found several parts of the US, but not so much as the northern parts. Don't be to alarmed thou if that's what it is since bowl and doilys are not dangerous.

Don't take my word for it even though I do have general knowledge about spiders.
if anything ask an expert in arachnology or do a google on it.

[Shuba]

Yeah I would do the google search, but obviously there are a couple of choices you have to pick from in identifying your species. Best thing to do -- get a pic