Species library

The spider species library

Identification cues, venom-risk ratings and habitat for the spiders you're most likely to meet — filter by how cautious you need to be.

Harmless

Common House Spider

Parasteatoda tepidariorum

The spider you most often meet indoors. It builds tangled cobwebs in quiet corners and is completely harmless to people.

Body 5–8 mm Worldwide

Dangerous

Black Widow

Latrodectus mactans

Glossy black with the unmistakable red hourglass. Its neurotoxic venom makes it the most medically significant spider in North America.

Body 8–13 mm (female) Americas, temperate worldwide

Dangerous

Brown Recluse

Loxosceles reclusa

A shy, reclusive hunter recognised by the dark violin shape on its back. Its cytotoxic venom can cause slow-healing wounds.

Body 6–11 mm Central & southern United States

Harmless

Bold Jumping Spider

Phidippus audax

Charismatic, curious and fuzzy, with huge forward-facing eyes. It hunts by pouncing rather than building webs.

Body 8–19 mm North America

Mild

Golden Silk Orb-Weaver

Trichonephila clavipes

Spins enormous webs of shimmering golden silk. Large and dramatic, yet shy and reluctant to bite.

Body 24–40 mm (female) Southern US, Central & South America

Harmless

European Garden Spider

Araneus diadematus

The textbook orb-weaver. Famous for the pale cross of dots on its back and its perfectly engineered circular web.

Body 6–20 mm Europe, North America

Harmless

Daddy Long-Legs (Cellar Spider)

Pholcus phalangioides

Impossibly thin legs and a small body. When threatened it vibrates its web into a blur to confuse predators.

Body 7–10 mm, legs to 50 mm Worldwide

Mild

Wolf Spider

Hogna / Lycosa species

A fast, robust ground hunter that chases prey instead of trapping it. Intimidating in size but rarely a threat.

Body 10–35 mm Worldwide

Caution

Hobo Spider

Eratigena agrestis

A fast funnel-web builder often confused with more dangerous species. Bites are uncommon and usually mild.

Body 8–18 mm Pacific Northwest US, Europe

Mild

Huntsman Spider

Heteropoda venatoria

Large, flat and lightning fast. Its legs splay crab-like, letting it squeeze under bark and into tight gaps.

Leg span up to 150 mm Tropical & subtropical worldwide

Dangerous

Brazilian Wandering Spider

Phoneutria species

An aggressive, restless hunter and one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Strictly look-don't-touch.

Body up to 50 mm, leg span 180 mm Central & South America

Caution

Tarantula

Theraphosidae family

The giants of the spider world. Imposing and hairy, but most species are docile with venom no worse than a bee sting.

Leg span 100–280 mm Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia