/r/spiders
All things Arachnid: articles, photos, videos, art, and ID requests are welcome.
All things Arachnid: articles, photos, videos, and ID requests are welcome.
BEFORE YOU POST:
This is a "No Nope Zone." Hackneyed jokes referencing fire, "nopes," or gratuitously killing spiders will be removed or downvoted to oblivion.
x-posts from r/WTF are not allowed. Posts referencing that subreddit will be deleted.
Include geographic location (country, state, province, region) with ID requests. There are tens of thousands of species -- this helps narrow it down.
There is no need to crosspost to /r/whatsthisbug - the same people identify spiders on both subreddits.
Do not post pictures of "bites" unless you personally witnessed the spider biting the person. If you're asking "Is this a spider bite?" the answer is almost certainly no. Pictures of random red bumps or yucky patches will be removed.
Photo tips: The most helpful views for identifying a spider include:
a view from directly above
the eyes
a view from below
These are just tips -- if you didn't get a chance to get these, post what you've got! The spider sleuths will do their best.
Making IDs
Amateurs are encouraged to guess. An important exception is guesses about medically significant spiders (widows, recluses, etc). In those cases, leave it to people who know. Otherwise, an innocent person or spider could get hurt.
Is it dangerous?
The vast majority of spiders are harmless to humans. If you live in North America, there are only TWO types of spiders with the potential to cause serious harm:
Brown recluse (a.k.a. fiddleback) - Loxosceles reclusa
Note the limited range of the brown recluse.Black widow - Latrodectus sp.
Severe reactions are rare. A lot of spiders may look similar. If you aren't sure about your spider, please post and ask! By the way, science does not support that hobo spiders pose any threat.
Outside N. America, the following spiders have the potential to be medically significant (list may not be comprehensive):
Wandering spiders of Central and South America (Phoneutria sp. and others)
Recluses (Loxosceles sp.) in the Americas, Africa and the Mediterranean.
Sicariids (found in southern Africa and South America)
Australian funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus)
Australian redback (Latrodectus hasselti)
Mouse spider (Missulena sp.)
External links to spider ID resources:
Bugguide: Spiders of U.S. & Canada
Field Guide to Spiders of Australia
Spiders of Europe and Greenland
Other subreddits you might like:
/r/spiders
535,234 Subscribers
Can someone help me ID this girl (southeast US)?
14:05 UTC
What is this? South of Spain (Doñana, Huelva)
About 1 inch long
13:34 UTC
I need help
I had two little baby lace weaver to make sure they don’t die and when i put them in my shed overnight. (my dad is arachnophobic so he will not put them inside) and when i checked on them in the morning there was only one and about 8 new spider types in there (plus some really cute small ones 🥰) and a lush grey one. but i do not know what to do with the other ones ??
13:31 UTC
Anybody know who this is south east uk
Found in my shed
13:27 UTC
Can anyone please tell me what kind of spider this is please? I'm in Gatineau QC Canada
13:17 UTC
Biggest spider I’ve seen in real life. What is he? Found in Arizona
Big guy was larger than a quarter
13:13 UTC
This spider was making its web in my backyard, though it looks cool.
13:02 UTC
Is anyone able to identify this? Tuscany, Italy.
This is the best pic I could get
12:58 UTC
What is this cutie patootie I just saved from my cat? (North Florida)
12:52 UTC
Had a spider inside my ear
Idk where to post this. I had gotten water in my ear a few days ago, didn't question why my ear felt kinda funny. Today I woke up and it felt like my ear was twitching. So I was like maybe there was moisture trapped. Got a few qtips, laid on my side and just gently moved the qtip to trap water. Ear felt a little better. Then I thought, "it's hella hot and bugs be coming inside.." so I put a flashlight in my ear for a few minutes and did the qtip move again. This guy comes out my ear. :) not even scared. Just taking notes on buying ear plugs later today and wearing them forever.
12:48 UTC
What spider is this? (Central Ohio, US Quarter for Scale)
12:21 UTC
Can someone advise what this spider is? UK
I have a new wasp catcher in my conservatory! I’m overcoming my spider fear.. just wanted to know what this fella is! Thanks :)
12:20 UTC
What type of spider is this? Or is it some type of grasshopper? Gatlinburg, Tennessee
11:59 UTC
This cellar spider setting up shop in my bathroom
Caught movement of some LOOOOOONG legs out of the corner of my eye when I was washing my face this morning lol. I'll name him George and hopefully he will keep the mosquito and fruit fly population down
11:57 UTC
An unpleasant surprise in my hairdryer
11:30 UTC
What kind of spider is this? I’ve never seen a funnel shaped web. Georgia-USA.
11:18 UTC
I killed a big spider and I think they are targetting me now
Ever since I killed one bigger spider who looked like a "general", ive been getting into situations with spiders, one even got into my shirt somehow and bit me.
I had 2 separate occasions when I wake up during night time and see spider eating on my exposed hand, but the moment I try to react and squash it, it disappears, idk if those are just hallucinations while still in REM mode.
I've heard about insects having a collective consciousness, could they be targetting me somehow? I tried to apologize for my actions towards the spider to the collective, and said i will try not to hurt any needlessly, unless they attack me.
As a child I used to feed the spiders, but it was in another country and might be part of another collective, I told them I've been good to spiders before. I might be mental, but I do believe insects are smarter than they appear!
Anyone knows about spider intelligence and collective consciousness? Am I just being silly?
11:11 UTC
Anyone know what kinda spider this is?
Located in western Washington state. I have killed at least one of these a day for the past week. And six just in the last hour. Should I be worried?
10:57 UTC