# Help me identify a species of spider **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 16, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-species-of-spider/422861 "2007-10-16T00:55:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MaceMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@MaceMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaceMan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-species-of-spider/422861/1 "2007-10-16T00:55:12Z")
The other day I noticed a very cool spider crawling across the parking lot where I work in upstate NY. The area around the lot is woodsy, with some marshland. The spider had a large, round orange back. It looked very similar to an orange or pumpkin skin in color, with four dimples in it. The dimples on its back were closer together in the front. Its legs were very unusual also, with alternating gray and black stripes circling its legs all the way down. It had a very small head. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me. I haven’t been able to find any descriptions that match online. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-species-of-spider/422861/2 "2007-10-16T01:02:10Z")
Although it doesn’t quite match your description, the only spider that doesn’t creep me out (except when I accidentally walk into its web) is the spiny orb spider. [This](http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/images/1945304459) is the kind we have in Florida, maybe yours is similar? I tried to search other orb weavers for you but I saw a pic of a guy with a spider on his forehead and I lost it. I’ll be over in the corner shuddering. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-species-of-spider/422861/3 "2007-10-16T02:24:55Z")
Maybe one of these [Orb Weaver](http://www.spiderzrule.com/commonspidersusa.htm) spiders (the first two listed)? Or maybe a [Garden Cross Spider](http://bugguide.net/node/view/86424) (actually think that is the same as the fist spider in my first link)? ---
**Author:** ![reea41](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c57346/32.png) [@reea41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reea41)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-species-of-spider/422861/4 "2007-10-16T02:47:25Z")
Maybe it is ---
**Author:** ![MaceMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@MaceMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaceMan)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-species-of-spider/422861/5 "2007-10-17T03:57:16Z")
Thanks for your links…those are some pretty awesome-looking spiders! I didn’t see any that looked exactly like mine, but I have to say you did a good job of finding some that matched my description. The spider I saw had beautiful legs that were slightly translucent, and its round (not oval) back was a uniform orange color, with no markings except for the four dimples. Looking down on the spider, I could not even see its head. I guess it will remain a mystery for now, but I wouldn’ t be surprised if it was a type of orb-weaver.