Help Identify a Spider

Two fanged spider shown up-close.Need help identifying a spider? If so, then take a look at our collection of spider pictures to see if it looks like yours.

You can also look through the comments below to see if any of the images match your spider.

Don’t see your spider? feel free to upload your photo here and we’ll attempt to id it, and if we can’t, then perhaps one of the visitors can after we post it.

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  1. spencer says:

    i’m from mid Michigan USA, and the spider i found dropped out of a pine tree almost on my head, it was about the size of a half dollar, maybe slightly smaller, the only distinct features i cud make out were large venom sacs on its fangs, it was fuzzy, and had 2 small tufts of fur making its abdomen look like a wolf head almost. i can say for sure it is NOT a wolf spider and i looked through all 17 pages on this site as well as many others and didn’t find anything conclusive. the fangs were not furry, but a majority of the rest was. i cannot remember what markings were on its back but it had some. i let it go after i took the picture, i should have kept it until i identified it. any help is appreciated.

  2. PPhil Venturacci says:

    I live in north eastern AZ. I saw a spider in my shed yesterday. He was big. Not as large as a tarantula but about two thirds the size. He was light brown and his body was flat and squarish. The body was the size of a quarter. Its legs were a bit furry and about 1inch in length. Can you help identify it? Thanks

  3. linda says:

    hello my name is linda jones. me and my loved one just moved here to myrtle beach south Carolina and we are currently living in a under kept APT./Motel. on the wall just one door down from mine there is a single (very small) black and white spider just sitting on the wall. it never moves unless i blow on it. its got the body of a black widow but a lot smaller. and on its backside it has white spots. the rest of the body is plain black. i would just like to know what kind of spider it is!

  4. Kim C says:

    hi my name is Kimberly i got bit by something in Arizona and I have no clue what it was. its on my check and everyone in my family has it in the same spot. it looks like about a 1/2 inch scratch thats kinda indented but not really.. please please please help me. thanks.

  5. Tyler M. says:

    Hi, my girlfriend found this in our daughter’s room today and I was wondering what kind of spider it was.

    We’ve done research but can’t seem to find anything about a small black spider with silver back (like the gorilla).

    Thanks,
    Tyler

    Black and Gray Spider

  6. Debby says:

    This spider was in my bedroom here in Michigan, USA. I believe it is the one that bit me about 3 days ago. The bites are very red and raw looking and are painful and itchy. There are 3 of them very close together and they look like small blisters. I’ve emailed the pic. The spider was about 3/4″ including it’s legs. It appeared to have black and gray striped legs and the body was primarily black. The body was elongated and not round. It had overlapping gray pyramid shapes on it’s black body. Hopefully someone can let me know what it is. Thanks.

  7. Mike Kots says:

    Help, found this in my yard last night..I live in South Florida…Is this a Brown Recluse??? I’m freaking out…It’s probably laying eggs everywhere, what do I do??

  8. Daniel Friedman says:

    Early morning, central Mexico, 6200 feet altitude, I found a cluster of tiny red spiders and would be grateful for an identification. Each is about 3/16″ across including legs, red body, very dark red-black legs. They haven’t bitten anyone and I suspect are recently hatched.

  9. Allie cressy says:

    Hi, my little sister got bit by a little spider that was crawling in my bed. It is very small, brown, hairy, and what looks like to be 3 yellow-ish rings around it butt thing. It seems like it plays dead. I thought it was dead because i tried to smash it, but when i went to pick it up to flush it, it started crawling around. I think it must be its defense mechanism. Please help!

    p.s. I live in southern California by the Joshua tree national park.

  10. Tom says:

    This spider is in central florida outside, but notice the web work (thick zig zag in the back) there was two on the web.

    Thanks
    Tom

    garden spider

  11. Kelsey says:

    have seen these spiders all over our house, ranging frm smaller then a dime to the size of a quarter or larger. I have no idea what kind of spider these are. The one in the picture was in my bedroom in my trash can. I hope you can identify it! Thank you!

    Kelsey

    tan and brown spider

  12. Cheryl says:

    I live in Maryland and yesterday late afternoon my son noticed this big spider at the bottom of our deck steps. It has what I assume is babies on the back in sacs. Have any idea what this is?

    Cheryl

    black spider

  13. Kristina says:

    I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of spider the attached is. I have severe arachnophobia and saw this spider in a new house we were thinking of buying, but if it’s poisonous, I will likely not buy the house. The basement of the house has a bunch of typical webs in the corners and stuff.

    Also – just a general question, but is there something you can do to prevent any spiders from entering your house? A spray, or one of those plug-in high pitch frequency things?

    black and red spider

    Best Regards,

    Kristina

  14. goat says:

    Okay… Brown spider, large abdomen with white dots, furry brown legs. With legs spread, probably the size of a nickel or quarter. (Note: There is some insulating foam on the spider, I was filling cracks near my windows and got some on the spider, that’s also the white foamy stuff all over the plant)

    Location: Southern Florida (back yard)
    Web: No info

    Black spider on a tree

  15. Elliot says:

    Can someone tell me what kind of spider this is? We found it surrounded by a lot of its babies in an empty catfood bucket:

    Picture of a large tan spider

    Thanks!
    elliot

  16. spiderj says:

    kayla – #1707

    What you have looks like a parson spider. They do bite, and they don’t spin webs. The ‘bum’ as you say can appear black if the the spider hasn’t eaten in a while, and the one you have looks fairly hungry. The females are generally faster and jumpier than the males in my observation- so what you have might be a female. The females lay eggs somewhere (usually low to the ground in a crevice) and cover them in silk- and they protect them fiercely until hatching. The baby spiders are so small that they are hard to see (but you will notice them) without a magnifying glass- but they can generally be collected with a paintbrush into a glass jar and safely removed (if the momma isn’t around).

    It is best to be rid of this spider as their bite can cause allergic reactions, although they generally wont bite unless provoked and/or starving. It is unlikely that the one you have there has laid eggs in your clothing- you would see a gum-ball sized white cocoon looking things thats very sticky and soft in the middle- it would be readily apparent. If you did and they did hatch- the baby spiders are generally not dangerous as thier fangs are much too small to pierce skin of any creature other than the tiniest of insects (and hence they will usually eat mostly each other unitl one of them is big enough to capture other prey).

  17. spiderj says:

    Matt- # 1646- That appears to be a female Golden Silk Orbweaver, though your pic is kinda far away.

  18. Amaris says:

    Oh also, the skin around the bite is harder than my other toes. Is this a problem? It hurts but i don’t know if it is truly that serious.

  19. Amaris says:

    i got bit by a spider yesterday in a building. the place has many spiders and i didn’t exactly see what bit me. i have two little dots on my toe and my toe is completely swollen. it itches a whole lot and i haven’t been to a doctor yet. i have other bites that are on my feet but none of the other ones swelled up like this one. HELP!!! have no idea what kind of spider it is and i need to know whether i should go to the doctor or not.

    Thanks

  20. Anita Namae says:

    Also, Wade, Brown widows don’t have to have red spots. They can be black, yellow, and brown, too.

  21. Anita Namae says:

    Ah, this has been bothering me for a while. Everyone says this spider is a corn spider, but corn spiders aren’t fluffy or round, from what I’ve seen.

    I found this spider in my garage when I was a kid in Podunk Center, Iowa.
    It was about the size of a 6 year old’s closed fist, very fluffy looking, with fluffy legs, that were kinda stocky, and it had a yellow and black abdomen, while the rest was black. I was walking in the garage to get something and it came darting out and chased me out of the garage, that jerk. Anyone know of any biggish, fluffy northern spiders?

    Also, is it just safe to say any of the strange spiders I find in my back yard are garden spiders? I mean, there’s ones with bright green abdomens and ones that are deep red, they’re all so pretty, and I’ve never gotten bit by a spider outside before.

  22. dragn29 says:

    I don’t have a picture, but I found this one in a plastic wagon outside. It has the same body shape of the black widow but has a red stripe on its top nothing on the underside and is black everywhere else. i don’t know what it is i have seen one like this before.

  23. Lizzi says:

    We were up in the Up of Michigan and found a dead spider. The legs were at least 5-6″ long. Any idea of what it was?

  24. Kayli says:

    I’ve found a couple of spiders in and on the outside of my house that look EXACTLY like the ones in #50 and #595, and I live in the same general area of those posts as well (just north of Seattle). I did a little research online and I think the species is Callobius severus, which is apparently only found in the Pacific Northwest. Also not dangerous.

  25. Dustin says:

    I found a spider in a corner in my mother room… its not very large, but its strange. I’ve never seen a spider quite like it, so I’m trying to figure out what it is. it has, a V shaped abdomen, and from the back, it has two horn shaped things sticking out… they are white. its body is mostly a transparent orange/tan color, an its legs have black stripes on them… can any one tell me if it may be poisonous, and maybe what it is called?

  26. Liz says:

    I found this spider outside under my bedroom window sill. It’s really cool looking but what kind of spider is it?

  27. Dan says:

    I am trying to figure out what this spider is. it has a white head with kind of a black body with two yellow stripes going down either side of the under belly. It has 8 long legs kind of reddish brown in color. Is this a harmless garden spider or I live in Webster, MA

    Thank You

  28. Dan says:

    I currently live in Webster, MA and am trying to find out if this is a harmless garden spider or what? please help?
    The spider has a white head, and kind of a black body with two yellow stripes going down the side, It has 8 long legs kind of reddish brown in color.

  29. mimi says:

    we found a fluorescent yellow spider with black banded legs don’t know what it is. any help?

  30. Wade Webb says:

    I have caught a spider that looks exactly like a Brown Widow spider except that it does not have the “hour glass” on its belly. It had killed and was feeding on a Brown Recluse. I live in middle Tennessee and don’t believe that we have Brown Widows in this area, but cannot find any other spiders that look even vaguely like it. Could it be an immature spider. The coloration, body shape, and striped legs look exactly like one but again it has no hour glass. Thanks for your assistance.

  31. Jan says:

    Jen,
    I don’t think it was a brown widow if the spot has to be red on the abdomen. There was an interesting shape on her belly, but it wasn’t red. I’ve seen several black widows and the shape on this spider doesn’t match.
    I ended up killing it a couple of days later when I sprayed for wasps that were getting into my house.
    Thanks,
    Jan

  32. Jen says:

    Heather,

    You’ve found a Desert Loxosceles, also known as a desert brown spider.

    Hope this helps!
    Jen

  33. Jen says:

    Martha,

    The spider you found is called a Sowbug Killer. They are found throughout North America. They do not use webs to capture prey and live outside near stones and moss. They typically eat pillbugs and sowbugs.

    Hope this helps,
    Jen

  34. Jen says:

    Brandy,

    That spider you found is a type of crab spider, don’t worry it’s harmless!

    Jen

  35. Heather says:

    He was on my door jamb this morning, and may have gotten inside, may not have. I am in south Florida, it has been raining like crazy lately. I’d say the leg span was about an inch and a half. I’ve looked at grass spiders and hobos all morning, but nothing seems to match this one’s abdomen! Help!

    Desert Loxosceles

  36. Martha says:

    Can you please help me identify this spider, its the first out of 2 that I have found in my yard…..? !
    Thanks
    Martha

    Sowbug killer spider

  37. Lynsey says:

    I was wondering if anyone would know what kind of spider this is. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I found this one underneath a shelf in my kitchen.

    house spider

  38. Jen says:

    Jan,

    The spider you found could be a brown widow, did you get a chance to see its belly to see if it has a reddish colored triangular shape? If so, then it is a brown widow.

    The spider could also be a type of crab spider or house spider, if that is the case then it is harmless. Crab spiders are often found in southern states. They are especially active during summer months.

    Hope this helps,
    Jen

  39. WHITNEY says:

    I HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD SON ABOUT A WEEK AGO HE HAD 2 LARGE SWOLLEN TIGHT BITES ON HIS LEG THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT RED AND HE SAYS THEY ITCH. THEY DON’T REALLY HAVE ANY pus BUT I DO SEE LIKE A SMALL OPENING IN THE MIDDLE.THEY DO GO AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS.BUT HE HAS SINCE GOT 2 MORE 1 ON HIS BACK AND 1 NEAR HIS ANKLE.AND NOW MY OTHER SON HAS GOTTEN 1 ON HIS WRIST. I CHECKED THERE BEDS AND FOUND NOTHING.WHEN I APPLY A HOT WET RAG THEY SEEM TO GO DOWN IN SWELLING.DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE A SPIDER BITE?

  40. kayla says:

    I live in the uk and have ordered some items of clothing and some cheap jewellry from various places mainly uk but some china, hong kong and i think some america. Iv not had chance to pack my items away yet so all just been in a bag in my room. gone to get the clothes out today and found this spider amongst some dresses (these particular dresses from uk). Iv checked some items and found no more spiders but not checked everything as terrified of spiders. It runs very fast and was hard to catch under glass. As iv ordered items im worried it could be a poisonous spider from abroad?

    Its very quick as mentioned and seems sensitive to sound and movement as If tap on glass it moves and when tried to lift glass a tiny bit to put paper under it ran from other side and tried to get out b4 i could even lift it properly. Is it possible that this spider could have laid eggs somewhere amongst other clothes or that there’ll be more spiders?
    pictures included not v good as its small.

    It appears to be brown with a black bum (back half of body) and has 2 tiny feeler things at front. Its bum appears longer than the body behind the head. Cant see how many eyes. Cant find any pics online close enough to it. please help as worried that its poisonous and that there will be more amongst the other clothes on my bed and am terrified of spiders anyway!!!!!!!

    Please let me know thank you.

    Picture of a black and brown spider

  41. Matt says:

    I just found a spider i have never seen ever.
    It had a brown body with short legs the legs had yellow stripes on it’s legs horizontally
    I live in Ohio if it helps

  42. Ciara says:

    I was walking up my stairs when I saw this dark black spider with a single bright yellow spot in the middle of its back. So, of course, I turned around to grab a flip flop to kill it, and it was gone. I looked everywhere, but I could never find it. I’ve been looking online for a picture of it, but I cannot find any. I’m worried its harmful. Can you help?

  43. nancy says:

    i live on the border of Texas in eagle pass and i found a spider like the one on post #377 and I’m still trying 2 identify it and c if its poisonous or not wondering if anyone knows what it is???

  44. Alli says:

    I found a reddish brown spider, about the side of a nickel or dime, maybe bet wen that. anyways it plays dead…like if i sit still long enough(the spider and me are on my bed…) the spider will move. but if i start moving or shaking the bed, it freezes and curls up as if its been dead for days…. should i be concerned?????

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