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Rabbit Hutch Spider (Steatoda bipunctata)

The rabbit hutch spider is a member of the family of comb-footed spiders. It earned this nickname owing to its tendency to be often found in hutches where rabbits are raised.

Scientific Classification

Rabbit Hutch Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.5 cm Female: 0.7 cm

Color: They are brown, with a broken, pale line running down their back. In females, the abdomen is lighter in color and shinier than the males.

Other Characteristic Features: The underside of their bulging abdomens has a pattern resembling the infinity sign.

Steatoda bipunctata

Eggs

They are pink, with 50-100 of them being laid in a white sac.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings have a swollen abdomen similar to the adults.

The Web

Their webs consist of short, irregularly-placed strands of silk.

Is the Rabbit Hutch Spider Venomous

While these spiders are similar in appearance to black widow spiders, they are not as deadly as the latter and their fangs are too small to deliver a painful bite. This has earned the genus of spiders it belongs to the name ‘False Widow’.

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-3 years
Distribution  North America and Europe
Habitat Indoors, such as animal pens, garages, sheds
Common Predators Other spiders
Diet Woodlice

Did You Know

  • Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus first described this species in 1758.
  • The species name of this spider, bipunctata, is a combination of the Latin words bi, meaning two, and punctata, which means spots.

Image Source: animal.photos, spiderid.com

The rabbit hutch spider is a member of the family of comb-footed spiders. It earned this nickname owing to its tendency to be often found in hutches where rabbits are raised.

Rabbit Hutch Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.5 cm Female: 0.7 cm

Color: They are brown, with a broken, pale line running down their back. In females, the abdomen is lighter in color and shinier than the males.

Other Characteristic Features: The underside of their bulging abdomens has a pattern resembling the infinity sign.

Steatoda bipunctata

Eggs

They are pink, with 50-100 of them being laid in a white sac.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings have a swollen abdomen similar to the adults.

The Web

Their webs consist of short, irregularly-placed strands of silk.

Is the Rabbit Hutch Spider Venomous

While these spiders are similar in appearance to black widow spiders, they are not as deadly as the latter and their fangs are too small to deliver a painful bite. This has earned the genus of spiders it belongs to the name ‘False Widow’.

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-3 years
Distribution  North America and Europe
Habitat Indoors, such as animal pens, garages, sheds
Common Predators Other spiders
Diet Woodlice

Did You Know

  • Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus first described this species in 1758.
  • The species name of this spider, bipunctata, is a combination of the Latin words bi, meaning two, and punctata, which means spots.

Image Source: animal.photos, spiderid.com

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