Carolina wolf spider

It could have been a jumping spider. They are very common. They are generally pretty small but not always.

Jumping spiders are also stalkers instead of chasers. They will hide and stalk their prey and then jump it. They tend to be slower than wolf spiders (except for the incredible jump) so they don't chase down their prey they pounce on it.

Yes, jumping spiders do too but they are not the same as the wolf spider pattern. Jumping spiders larger eyes are on the bottom and they actually have 3 rows instead of 2 rows. So, yes, they eyes on jumping spiders are identifiers but also distinguish them from the wolf spider.

What I was surprised to learn is that they are the second most common pet spider right behind tarantulas...had no idea.

Yes, actually I knew alot about wolf spiders already and I learned a ton doing some investigation for you. Yes, they could have been youngsters looking for a cool hideout. If you come across them again, the eyes are a big clue. They have a row of 4 underneath and 2 bigger ones up above....and of course the fangs.

just looked at the spiders they're creepy!!!

i will look at it.

Here's a cool site on identifying them...and by the way the running is a sign..they run very fast...this is how they hunt, they run down their prey..not hide and pounce. http://www.ehow.com/how_2064348_identify-carolina-wolf-spider.html

Take a look at this one... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogna_carolinensis also known as a Carolina wolf spider... I just wouldn't think you would find 4 of them together...they tend to be solitary creatures unless they are young.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!

It could be a wolf spider. It's a hard picture to identify. I asked about the eyes since wolf spider eyes are very specific and are easy identifiers. If it is a wolf spider the Carolina is probably a likely choice.

@Emma--do you know what the eye pattern looked like?