Arachind identification

GR_Zombie

Saw a cool little spider crawling up my garage door, but because it's both small and colorful, my family is convinced it's horribly poisonous and therefore must die. I have a live-and-let-live policy when it comes to spiders, so I'd like to confirm whether the little bugger is dangerous or not. So can someone help me ID this guy? Can't tell in the pic but it's about a half-inch long.

FyreWulff

Kinda looks like an orb weaver, which means as long as you don't walk into it's web it will leave you alone.

Dunadan019

looks like its a red backed jumping spider

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phidippus_johnsoni

CycloneRanger

Without knowing where you live this is going to be really hard.

Nothing poisonous that looks remotely like that spider exists in North America, though.

Raekreu

It does look like some kind of jumping spider. The huge, forward facing eyes are kind of a dead ringer for jumpers in general. Plus the bright coloring and the fact that it looks hairy but is 1) not a tarantula and 2) not a wolf spider - not with those stocky little legs.

LadyM

The legs make me think "not a jumping spider." They're long and outstretched instead of short and tucked under the body. Looks more like an orb weaver to me.

At any rate, if you live in North America that is not a spider who's a threat to you, as it's not a hobo spider or black widow.

Also, here is a link to Spider Identification dot Org: http://www.spideridentification.org/id/

Yay for super specific interests on the internet!

GR_Zombie

Awesome, thanks a lot guys. I'm in Southern California for what it's worth now, dunno why I forgot to put that in the OP

Noxy

Looks like a jumper. Harmless.

Also, it could be a male. I believe I see some hooks on his front legs. Which would also explain the extra leg length.