North American Spiders
Amazingly, spiders intimidate some 85% of the human population.
Spiders can generally be identified by the type of web they create though not all webs are used to capture prey. Some are used in courtship rituals while others are used to secure egg sacs. Silk is produced by specialized glands found in the abdomen of the spider that are formed of liquid protein generated within the body. This protein hardens once it is outside of the body and released through the rear of the abdomen, guided by spinnerets that allow the spider to customize its release as needed. It is not wholly uncommon for spiders of different species to share a web or a spider to steal another's prey. Other species rely on the element of surprise and bury themselves in loose soil, springing out when prey passes - injecting them with powerful subduing venom.
There are a total of 60 North American Spiders in the Insect Identification database. Entries are listed below in alphabetical order.
The webs created by Cobweb Spiders are classic Halloween webs: tangled messes in all corners of the attic or windows. It is n...
With bodies shaped more like ants, at first glance, it may be difficult to tell that this creature is a spider. The resembla...
The triangular abdomen of this spider helped name it. The color pattern is the same within a population. This spider cre...
The spiney ridges on females are believed to ward off predators, though some believe it adds to concealment in the web. She w...
This spider builds its web between plants in garden beds. It sits in the center, head down, waiting for prey to ensnare itse...
The colors, pattern and shape of the abdomen make this spider stand out. Their webs are horizontal and dome-shaped. The...
Yellow Garden Spiders are from the Argiope genus and a local throughout the United States of America. Commonly found througho...
Crab spiders have long front forelegs that sit more forward on the body. The difference in length between the front and back ...
The distinct shape of the web created by this species aids in identifying it. The 'bowl' shaped part of the web sits on top ...
The Brown Recluse spider, also known as the Violin Spider, are generally found throughout southern American states and west t...
California Trapdoor Spiders are native to Southern California. In many ways, they resemble smaller versions of tarantulas wit...
Comb-clawed spiders are the most common type of house spider in North America. They come in a variety of colors and typically...
The legs of this spider are hairy and the foremost pair are quite long. They create webs to catch prey, but do not have stic...
Desert Tarantulas are a common sight in the Southwestern states. They generally hide during the day, choosing instead to res...
Harvestman are not spiders, though they resemble them in many ways. They are relatives of the spider. They do not have ...
Thick legs with long, feathery hairs on them make this spider unique. They make look ferociou, but they lack venom glands. ...
Noted for the shape of their webs, Funnel-web spiders create cave-like webs and hide in the back. They are fast movers and ch...
The size of this spider can be frightening. While males remain quite small (up to 1/4 inch), females can grow to become 3 in...
This species of spider uses camouflage as its primary defense, but will bite as well. They are able to change their colorati...
Grass Spiders are common sights throughout North American summers and belong to a family of Funnel Web Weavers. Males are sma...
The extremely long front legs help place this spider in the Crab Spider family. They are able to walk forward, sideways and ...
As its name might suggest, the Green Lynx Spider is a highly identifiable green spider of the Lynx spider grouping. Appearing...
Crab spiders get their name from the resemblence they have as they sit and walk. They have slightly longer sets of legs at t...
Although this species of spider is already established in the Southeast, sometimes they stow away on produce from Mexico or C...
These tiny spiders jump large distances (considering their size) to catch their prey. They are day-time hunters and hide out...
The web of this spider is more like a starburst, rather than a typical orb, making it unique and easy to identify. Some sp...
The six defined black spots on the abdomen aid in identifying this spider. Each spot has a very pale ring around it. They ...
The shape of the abdomen aided in an alternate name for this spider. Although the name Daddy-Long-Legs is as an additional a...
This pale spider is typically found in homes (on ceilings, in corners, etc). They build thin silk shelters in corners or dar...
The unique 'marbling' pattern of colors on the abdomen, the orange head and black and white legs make this spider visually st...
The metallic sheen on the abdomen of this spider is mesmerizing, if stops moving long enough for you to see it. The runnin...
Jumping spiders are opportunistic, ambush predators. They do not weave webs for catching prey though they can make spider si...
The Nursery Web Spider derives its name from the care it takes of the egg sac. Females carry the sac with their fangs and bui...
Orb Weavers come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Common traits among some include the rounded abdomen and orange-to...
A unique pattern on the abdomen makes this spider easier to identify than others. This species of spider does not spin web...
Ant-Mimic spiders play both sides of the game: defense and offense. Their ability to be confused as ants helps keep their pr...
This spider acts like an ant to gain better positioning when attacking prey. It walks on its back 6 legs while raising the f...
These fast-moving spiders are agile enough to outrun predators as well as human hands. Their camouflage coloration makes it ...
Running spiders, or sac spiders, do not form webs. Instead they hunt their prey with quickening speed. The reddish head...
Sac spiders are predatory hunters, not web weavers, when it comes to catching prey. They do weave silken sacs between leaves...
The Silver Garden Spider can be found in the warmer, southern parts of North America. Young spiders can survive frost, but th...
Spiders in the Ctenidae family resemble wolf spiders, but are not the same. Wandering spiders are active hunters, not web-...
Female Black Widows are well-known and particularly feared for their venomous bites. They are shiney in look and feature a re...
This spider's favorite meal is the sowbug, also known as pill bug, wood louse or roly poly depending on where you live. Thei...
The ridges on the abdomen of the female spider are thought to render it unappetizing to predators. The coloration may act as...
The spines on the side of this spider make it unique and easy to recognize. Males are considerably smaller than females. Lik...
This spider earned its name by spraying its prey of small insects with a sticky secretion. Once the prey is subdued, it bite...
These hairy spiders are nocturnal, weaving orb-shaped webs up to 2 feet in diameter in woodlands to catch their prey. They a...
A member of Salticidae, this spider jumps to ambush its prey instead of creating webs. This species is known to be friendl...
The name of this spider stems from its thicker line of silk in the web (stabilimentum). The purpose of the stablimentum has n...
The triangle pattern on the abdomen helped name this spider. It is a common house spider, hiding in dark corners of rooms ...
The fine, mesh web of this spider is a bit different than other orb weavers. They can be found commonly in forest undergrowt...
Native to Northern California, the Turret Spider is part of the larger family of "Folding Trapdoor Spiders" that live in self...
Common in forested areas, this colorful spider almost appears to be painted. Bright red, orange or yellow coloration at the t...
Orb weavers spin circular webs and this species tends to create them in open areas. These spiders do not spin any zigzag patt...
The Wolf spider hunts at night, spending the daytime hiding in a burrow under stones, logs or other undisturbed places. They ...
Jumping spiders are known for their fantastic ability to leap across large airspaces. They also have incredible vision. ...
This albino spider is commonly found in homes, high up on walls or crawling on ceilings. They usually only venture indoors d...
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