Spiders in Kenya

Did you know that Kenya has some of the diverse yet beautiful landscapes in the world? Its dry grasslands and tropical rainforest make it a thriving place for all sorts of creatures including spiders. Some spider species are completely harmless to humans. However, you must be aware of the dangerous spider species in Kenya. It includes the Brown Widow Spider and the notorious Brown Recluse Spiders.

Spiders in Kenya

Spiders in Kenya Identification Chart

Common Spiders in Kenya

Common Garden Orb Web Spider (Argiope australis)Tropical Tent-web Spider (Cyrtophora citricola)Shorthorn Kite Spider (Gasteracantha sanguinolenta)
Scimitar-horn Kitespider (Gasteracantha falcicornis)Redleg Orb Weaver Spider (Trichonephila inaurata)Bark Spiders (Genus Caerostris)

Biggest Spiders in Kenya

King Baboon Spider (Pelinobius muticus)Pantropical Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda venatoria)

Most Venomous Spiders

Cobweb Spiders/Tangle Web Spiders (Theridiidae)

Female Brown Widow Spider Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus) - The Brown Widow Spider is a cool spider that belongs to the cobweb spiders family. Some people know more about its cousin, the Black Widow, but the Brown Widow has its own interesting story.… Continue Reading >

Sicariidae Spiders

Brown Recluse Image Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa) - The brown recluse spider is a special spider found mostly in the central and southern parts of the U.S. It's part of a small group of spiders in North America known for having strong venom, along with the Chilean recluse and black widow.… Continue Reading >

Desidae Spiders

Black House Spider Size Black House (Badumna insignis) - The Black House Spider, sometimes called the common black spider, calls Australia home. But, you can also spot them in Japan and New Zealand. They have a dark, strong look but are quite shy.… Continue Reading >

Funnel Weaver Spiders

Hobo Spider Image Hobo (Eratigena agrestis) - The Hobo spider is different from the Australian funnel-web, even though they both belong to the funnel-web spider group. With various scientific names like Philoica agrestis and Tegenaria rhaetica, these spiders can be found in Europe, Central Asia, and North America.… Continue Reading >

Tarantulas

King Baboon Tarantula Spider King Baboon Tarantula (Pelinobius muticus) - The King baboon tarantula is a unique spider from East Africa. It's the only one in the Pelinobius family! Many people who love spiders like to have them in their collections.… Continue Reading >

Less Venomous Spiders

Orb Weavers (Araneids)

Banded Garden Spider Banded Garden (Argiope trifasciata) - The banded garden spider is a common spider with two types: Argiope trifasciata deserticola and Argiope trifasciata kauaiensis. They prefer warm places and usually aren't around in cold winters because they don't like the chill.… Continue Reading >

  • Hairy Golden Orb-weaving Spider/Tufted Golden Orb-weaving spider – Trichonephila fenestrata
  • Banded-legged Golden Orb-web Spider – Trichonephila senegalensis
  • African Hermit Spider – Nephilingis cruentata

Jumping Spiders

Gray Wall Jumping Spider Gray Wall Jumping (Menemerus bivittatus) - Did you know there's a spider called the Gray wall jumper? It belongs to the Salticidae family and is found in warm tropical places in both the north and south.… Continue Reading >

Tarantulas

  • Southern Baboon Spiders – Subfamily Harpactirinae