Spiders in Alabama

There are over 95 spider species indigenous to Alabama distributed in the north, south and central parts of the state, of which approximately seven to eight of them are considered potentially harmful. The brown recluse, known to be one among the most dangerous spider species of the United States of America because of its deadly venom, occurs throughout the state, though more common in the northern part.

Spiders in Alabama Identification Chart

Common Spiders in Alabama

Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus)Long-bodied Cellar (Pholcus phalangioides)

Largest Spider in Alabama

Brazilian Wandering (Phoneutria nigriventer)

Highly Venomous Spiders

Sicariidae

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 >

Brown Spider Chilean Recluse (Loxosceles laeta) - Imagine a spider called the Chilean recluse. It's known to be the most dangerous of its kind because of its strong venom. While its name hints at its home in Chile, you can also find it in places like Ecuador, Argentina, and Brazil.… Continue Reading >

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 >

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

Northern Black Widow Spider Size Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) - The Northern Black Widow is a cool spider found mainly on the 'East Coast' of North America. It's a close relative to the southern and western black widows.… Continue Reading >

Southern Black Widow Size Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) - Did you know there's a spider called the southern black widow? It's mostly found in North America. It has family members like the western black widow and northern black widow, and they look a bit alike.… Continue Reading >

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 >

Wandering (Phoneutria)

Banana Spider Brazilian Wandering (Phoneutria) - The Brazilian Wandering spider is a type of spider from the Phoneutria group. Even though they're called "Brazilian," not all of them come from Brazil.… Continue Reading >

Less Venomous Spiders

Cellar (Phocidae)

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 >

Purseweb (Atypidae)

Red-legged Purseweb Spider Red-legged Purseweb (Sphodros rufipes) - Guess what? There's a spider called the red-legged purseweb spider! It mostly lives in the southern United States, but some people have spotted it in places like Indiana and New Jersey too.… Continue Reading >

Orb-weaver (Araneidae)

Marble Orb-Weaver Marbled Orb-weaver (Araneus marmoreus) - The marbled orb-weaver is a spider with a special design on its body. It has patterns on its abdomen that look like marble, which is how it got its name.… Continue Reading >

Giant Lichen Orbweaver Spider Giant Lichen Orb Weaver (Araneus bicentenarius) - Discover the world of the Giant Lichen Orb Weaver, a spider native to areas in the United States and Canada. Known for their impressive size, these spiders are fascinating creatures.… Continue Reading >

Gasteracantha Cancriformis Spider Spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis) - Discover the spiny-backed orb-weaver, a fascinating spider from the orb-weaver family. Found mostly in the New World, these spiders are known for the unique, spine-like bumps on their back.… Continue Reading >

Furrow Spider Size Furrow (Larinioides cornutus) - Did you know there's a spider called the Furrow spider? It belongs to the orb-weaver family. You can find them in places like North Africa, Europe, parts of Asia, and even in North and South America!… Continue Reading >

Spotted Orb Weaver Spider Spotted Orb Weaver (Neoscona crucifera) - The spotted orb weaver is a tiny spider that lives in places like Florida, Maine, Arizona, and Minnesota. Part of the orb weavers family, they usually roam at night.… Continue Reading >

Nephila Clavipes Web Nephila Clavipes - The Golden-orb weaver family has a special member called Nephila Clavipes. This unique spider lives in both Northern and Southern America. Some people in the United States even call it the banana spider.… Continue Reading >

Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Arrow-shaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata) - The Arrow-shaped micrathena spider has a unique arrow-shaped tummy, which is why it's named that way! This spider is part of the orb-weaver family and lives mainly in the eastern United States and Central America.… Continue Reading >

Spined Micrathena Spider Web Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis) - The Spined Micrathena is a standout spider with its black and white body and spiky tummy. Part of the orb-weaver family, you'll mostly spot this daytime-loving spider during late summer and early autumn.… Continue Reading >

Orchard Orbweaver Spider Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) - The orchard spider is a special kind of spider called an orb-weaver. It has a long jaw and is found in places like the United States, southern Canada, and parts of Central America.… Continue Reading >

Yellow Garden Spider Images Yellow Garden (Argiope aurantia) - Imagine a spider with bright yellow and black colors, weaving an amazing web in the garden. That's the Yellow Garden Spider for you! They're super peaceful and really good at making fancy webs.… 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 >

  • Elongate Stilt (Tetragnatha elongate)
  • Toadlike Bolas (Mastophora phrynosoma)
  • Featherlegged Orbweaver (Uloborus glomosus)
  • Florida Garden (Argiope florida)
  • Ocrepeira ectypa
  • Basilica Orb-weaver (Mecynogea lemniscata)
  • Hump-backed Orb-weaver (Eustala anastera)

Crevice Weaver (Filistatidae)

Southern House Spider Size Southern House (Kukulcania hibernalis) - The Southern House Spider lives in many parts of America, from the north to the south. It's quite a big spider! Interestingly, people often confuse the male Southern House Spider with another spider called the brown recluse because they look a lot alike.… Continue Reading >

Jumping (Salticidae)

Twin Flagged Jumping - Anasaitis canosa Twin Flagged Jumping Spider (Anasaitis canosa) - Dive into the world of spiders and you'll notice the Twin Flagged Jumping Spider. It's known scientifically as Anasaitis canosa and is famous for its unique look and quick moves.… Continue Reading >

Paraphidippus Aurantius Emerald Jumping Spider (Paraphidippus aurantius) - Discover the emerald jumping spider, also known as Paraphidippus aurantius. Found everywhere from the United States to Panama and even the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, these spiders stand out due to their size, being notably larger than many other jumping spiders.… Continue Reading >

Dimorphic Jumping Spider Female Dimorphic Jumping (Maevia inclemens) - The Dimorphic Jumping Spider is a bright creature from North America. "Dimorphic" means having two forms. What's special about these spiders?… Continue Reading >

Castianeira Longipalpa Castianeira longipalpa - The Castianeira longipalpa spider is a cool member of the Corinnidae spiders family. Found in North America, this spider acts a lot like carpenter ants. It's a master of disguise!… Continue Reading >

Red Spotted Ant Mimic Spider Size Red-spotted Ant Mimic (Castianeira descripta) - The red-spotted ant mimic spider is super clever! It walks on six legs and uses its front legs like ant antennas. This tricks the ants into thinking it's one of them.… Continue Reading >

  • Pantropical Jumper (Plexippus paykulli)

Ground (Gnaphosidae)

Eastern Parson Spider Parson (Herpyllus ecclesiasticus) - The eastern parson spider is a special kind of spider from the USA and Canada. It's part of the Gnaphosidae family. Instead of making webs to catch food, this spider likes to chase down its meals!… Continue Reading >

Cobweb (Theridiidae)

Common House Spider Size Common House (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) - Guess what? The American house spider is a popular spider many people meet! Even though its name says "American," it's also found in places like Pakistan and Myanmar.… Continue Reading >

Triangulate Cobweb Spider Triangulate Cobweb (Steatoda triangulosa) - Meet the triangulate cobweb spider from the Steatoda genus! Found in places like North America, New Zealand, and Europe, this little spider has a neat triangular pattern on its back.… Continue Reading >

Lynx (Oxyopidae)

The Green Lynx Spider Green Lynx (Peucetia viridans) - The Green Lynx is a big, bright green spider that lives in some areas of the Americas. Sometimes people mix it up with other similar-looking spiders from Africa and India such as Peucetia.… Continue Reading >

Woodlouse Hunter (Araneomorph)

Woodlouse Spider Size Woodlouse (Dysdera crocata) - Guess what? There's a spider called the woodlouse spider because it loves eating woodlice! It comes from places near the Mediterranean Sea.… Continue Reading >

Crab (Thomisidae)

White Banded Crab Spider White Banded Crab (Misumenoides formosipes) - Did you know there are spiders called White banded crab spiders? They're part of a big family named Thomisidae. These spiders live in the United States and Canada.… Continue Reading >

  • Ground Crab (Xysticus funestus)

Nursery Web (Pisauridae)

Six Spotted Fishing Spider Six-spotted Fishing (Dolomedes triton) - Discover the Six-spotted Fishing Spider, often known as the dock spider. These large, semi-aquatic spiders are daytime hunters. They're experts at waiting near water edges, among bushes, ready to catch their next meal.… Continue Reading >

  • American Nursery Web (Pisaurina mira)

Halonoproctidae (Ctenizidae)

Ravine Trapdoor Ravine Trapdoor (Cyclocosmia truncata) - The Ravine Trapdoor spider has a unique shape and is a rare sight in North America. This spider is a member of the Halonoproctidae family.… Continue Reading >

  • Folding Trapdoor (Antrodiaetus unicolor)
  • Neil Young’s Trapdoor (Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi)

Wolf (Lycosidae)

South Carolina Wolf Spider Carolina Wolf (Hogna carolinensis) - The Carolina Wolf Spider, native to America, is just one of the many wolf spider species globally. Known for being quick hunters, they prefer the chase over waiting on webs. You'll often spot these speedy spiders during midsummer nights, particularly around June.… Continue Reading >

Pardosa lapidicina Stone Spider (Pardosa lapidicina) - In the vast world of spiders, Pardosa lapidicina stands out as a species worth exploring. In this article, we'll delve deep into its characteristics, habitat, and some lesser-known facts about this captivating spider.… Continue Reading >

Huntsman (Sparassidae)

Giant Cane Spider Cane (Heteropoda venatoria) - Picture a large spider called the Cane Spider. It lives in warm, tropical places and doesn't make webs. Instead, it hunts for food when the stars come out!… Continue Reading >