Spider identification, anyone?

Hey all,

First off, I realise a spider is classed as neither an animal or a pet (well, for the most part, anyway), but I don't think there's an insect related forum so I'm just gonna throw this here and if a mod feels like moving it, then feel free to do so


Anyway, I was just about to hop into bed last night when I seen this little fellow on the wall beside me. I'm not spider fanatic now, and I don't really pass any remarks to them, but his back took my attention (not sure if there's an actual name of the that little shell-looking thing on him?).

I don't think I've ever really seen a colourful little spider roaming my house before (or if I have, I never noticed him). So I was just wondering if anyone here could put a name on him, so I good Wiki or Google him (I'm curious to see if there are a multitude of patterns and designs on their backs).


Here are two quick photos of him;


1.



(Bigger size;

http://photos2.pix.ie/BB/21/BB2126DCFDFB4A2FBCB33CC90C7FDA68-0000333410-0002481364-02107L-CC799A3E90AA475B9B4FF18790F18CA8.jpg )




2.





(Bigger size:

http://photos2.pix.ie/E8/EC/E8EC0DE04FFA4D00892CD91037CB3B15-0000333410-0002481363-02656L-4DBBC514232748AF85330D99A96EF3AE.jpg)



Cheers

needadvi

Looks pregnant.

Alun

Might be better asking over on the Nature and Birdwatching forum.

Zapperzy

Haven't a clue but I wouldn't be comfortable sleeping in my bed until I'd ripped apart every last area in my bedroom looking for more of the little buggers so I could get rid of them. Creepy disgusting little things, imo only thing thats worse is a wasp. :eek:

Alun

Alun wrote: »

Might be better asking over on the Nature and Birdwatching forum.

Well hopefully a mod will move it (rather than me making the same thread twice). Never thought about that forum.

Zapperzy wrote: »

Haven't a clue but I wouldn't be comfortable sleeping in my bed until I'd ripped apart every last area in my bedroom looking for more of the little buggers so I could get rid of them. Creepy disgusting little things, imo only thing thats worse is a wasp.

Ah sure, it's only a spider getting on with it's life. Not doing anyone any harm. I put a piece of paper under him until he walked onto it, and brought him to the other side of the room, though (if I left him where he was, he'd probably have gotten squished by me or my blankets).

Though if he's pregnant, as an above poster said, i should probably be saying she.

MarthaMyDear

I thought I saw a spider like that on my gate last week! I'm terrified of them though so I ran off before I could check properly

The thoughts of a spider like that in my room would actually make me ill!

lolabunny

thats so cool we have similar ones here in the west there was a thread not so long ago on here about them

Mothman

Enoplognatha ovata, aka Candy stripe spider.

I've seen the form with red stripes often.

Looks like you polished it!!

It's preferred habitat is shrubbery. I'd put it outside.