Spiders in South Africa

South Africa is known for its vast biodiversity, and this extends to its spiders. These include the black or brown button spiders, which are highly venomous, or the orb weavers who weave different unique styles of webs. While there are several dangerous species of spiders, most of them avoid confrontation and flee if possible.

Spiders in South Africa

Spiders in South Africa Identification Chart

Common Spiders in South Africa

Brown Widow SpiderBrown Widow SpiderLong-bodied Cellar Spider

Big Spider in South Africa

Common Rain Spider 

Dangerous Spiders in South Africa

Brown Widow SpiderBrown Button SpiderGolden Blue-legged Baboon Spider

Most Venomous Spiders

Comb-footed Spiders

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 >

Black Cobweb Spider Black Cobweb Spider (Steatoda capensis) - Imagine a spider that looks like a black widow but isn't as scary! Meet the black cobweb spider, part of the comb-footed family. They're called 'false widows' because they look similar but are different.… Continue Reading >

  • East Coast Button Spider (Latrodectus cinctus)
  • West Coast Button Spider (Latrodectus indistinctus)
  • Karoo Button Spider (Latrodectus karooensis)
  • Inland Button spider (Latrodectus renivulvatus)
  • Phinda Button Spider (Latrodectus umbukwane)

Sicariidae

Mediterranean Recluse Spider Mediterranean Recluse (Loxosceles rufescens) - Guess where the Mediterranean recluse spider comes from? That's right, the Mediterranean areas! Even though it started there, now you can find this spider all over the world.… Continue Reading >

Tarantulas

  • Common Baboon Spider (Harpactira gigas)
  • Golden Blue-legged Baboon Spider (Harpactira pulchripes)
  • Greater Horned Baboon Spider (Ceratogyrus brachycephalus)
  • South African Blue Footed Trapdoor Baboon Spider (Idiothele mira)

Cheiracanthiidae

Less Venomous Spiders

Orb-weavers

Argiope Lobata Lobed Argiope (Argiope lobata) - Discover the Argiope lobata, a fascinating orb weaver spider that makes its home across three continents. Here, you'll find intriguing facts and details about this widespread spider.… Continue Reading >

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 >

  • Tropical Tent-web Spider (Cyrtophora citricola)
  • Long-winged Kite Spider (Gasteracantha versicolor)
  • African Hermit Spider (Nephilingis cruentata)
  • Hairy Golden Orb-weaver Spider (Trichonephila fenestrata)
  • Banded-legged Golden Orb-weaver Spider (Trichonephila senegalensis)
  • Hairy Field Spider (Neoscona rapta)

Long-jawed Orb-weavers

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 >

  • Thyene ogdeni

Cellar Spiders

Long Bodied Cellar Spider Long Bodied Cellar (Pholcus phalangioides) - The long-bodied cellar spiders are quite interesting! Often seen in America's dark and damp spots, they have really long legs. This is why some folks call them daddy-long-legs.… Continue Reading >

Huntsman Spiders

Rain Spider Picture Rain Spider (Palystes superciliosus) - The common rain spider is a type of huntsman spider. Guess where it's mostly found? In many parts of South Africa! These spiders are pretty interesting, and we're going to share some cool things about them right here.… Continue Reading >

Nursery Web Spiders

  • Fishing Spider (Nilus radiatolineatus)

Lynx Spiders

  • Oxyopes affinis

Trochanteriidae

  • Scorpion Spider (Platyoides walteri)