Spiders with Red Orange Legs – A Closer Look at These Colorful Crawlies

Spiders come in a dazzling array of colors and patterns, but some of the most eye-catching species sport legs in shades of red or orange. From tiny jumpers to large tarantulas, these colorful-legged spiders can be found across North America and around the world. We’ll take a closer look at 17 different spiders with red or orange legs and what makes them stand out.

Spiders display an incredible diversity of colors and markings. While many species have brown or black legs, some spiders exhibit brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows on their limbs. The coloration may be limited to the legs or also extend to parts of the body.

Vivid leg colors in spiders serve a variety of functions. They can help with camouflage, mimicry of ants or other insects, attracting prey, and signaling to potential mates. The colors may differ between males and females of the same species as well.

Some examples of spiders with red or orange legs include orbweavers, crab spiders, jumping spiders, ground spiders, and tarantulas They inhabit ecosystems around the world from rainforests to deserts Next, we’ll highlight some of the most colorful and striking red and orange-legged spiders out there.

1. Red-Legged Purseweb Spider

The Red-Legged Purseweb Spider is aptly named for its bright red-orange legs. The contrast against the black body makes this spider easy to spot. It constructs a silken tube web attached to rocks, logs, and tree trunks and waits inside to ambush passing insects. This species is found in woodlands and forests of the southeastern United States.

2. Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Spider

The Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Spider has a black abdomen with spiny projections pointing toward the rear like an arrowhead. The females exhibit brilliant red or orange legs that complement the black and yellow color scheme. The males have a more subdued appearance overall. These spiders build orb webs and are found in Central and South America.

3. Noble False Widow Spider

The Noble False Widow Spider is an introduced species that has spread across Europe, North America, South America, and parts of Asia and Africa. It has a dark brown body and bright orange-red legs. The long front legs are used to trap prey within the tangled web. Noble false widows can deliver a painful bite to humans but are not considered dangerous.

4. Red Widow Spider

As the name suggests, the Red Widow Spider bears a resemblance to the notorious Black Widow but with more reddish colors. It has an orange-red cephalothorax (head area) and legs. The hairless black abdomen has a variable pattern of red spots and stripes. Red widows are native to Florida scrub habitat. Their venom can be medically significant but less potent than the black widow.

5. Redleg Orbweaver

The striking Redleg Orbweaver lives up to its name with its pale orange-brown legs. It exhibits an incredible range of color variations, however, with different patterns of green, yellow, black, and white on the abdomen. Females build large circular orb webs to trap flying insects. This adaptable species is found in many forested areas of North America.

6. Jovial Jumping Spider

Jovial Jumping Spiders are small active hunters with four pairs of legs in different colors. The first pair are solid black while the others have alternating orange and black bands. The body is black with an orange spot on the abdomen. They do not build webs to catch prey, instead relying on their jumping ability and excellent vision to pounce. Jovial jumpers are native to Australia.

7. Spotted Ground Swift Spider

The Spotted Ground Swift Spider inhabits Australia and some Pacific Islands. As the name indicates, it’s a quick ground-dwelling hunter. The front pair of legs are bright orange, providing a splash of color against the black and gray-striped body. The other three pairs of legs are more black and gray.

8. Red-Legged Golden Orb-Web Spider

This colorful spider has orange-red legs with black bands and markings. The female weaves a large circular web up to 1 meter across. The striking web acts as an insect trap and also serves as protection for the spider’s egg sacs. Red-legged golden orbweavers live in tropical areas of Africa and islands in the Indian Ocean.

9. Ribbon Jumping Spider

The tiny Ribbon Jumping Spider, measuring only 5-6 mm long, makes up for its small size with its vibrant colors. It has black chelicerae (mouthparts), an orange-brown cephalothorax, and striped black and white abdomen. The females are the most colorful with bright orange palps and legs. They are found in Central America and the southwestern United States.

10. Dwarf Florida Jumping Spider

As a Florida native, the Dwarf Florida Jumping Spider is predominantly found in the southern United States. It has a small stocky black body with prominent white stripes on the abdomen. The short legs are a glossy transparent orange-brown hue. Their jumping and stalking skills help them hunt small insects and other invertebrates.

Large Species with Orange Legs

While many red and orange-legged spiders are small or medium-sized, some larger cousins also sport similar flashy colors. Here are a few examples of hefty spiders with orange legs.

1. Amazon Thorn Spider

The Amazon Thorn Spider has an arrow-shaped green, yellow, or white abdomen marked with black spots and pointy spines. The legs range from orange-red to brown or black. They build messy webs in trees and vegetation in Central and South America. Their legspan can reach over 5 inches.

2. Broad-Faced Sac Spider

The Broad-Faced Sac Spider is a large hairy spider with thick dark orange legs growing up to 3 inches long. The body is brown to black with faint patterns on the abdomen. They hunt insects and other small prey at night and hide in silken retreats during the day. Broad-faced sac spiders are widespread in North America.

3. Costa Rican Redleg Tarantula

As a Central American tarantula, the Costa Rican Redleg has dramatic dark orange striped legs. The body is black and brown with yellow markings between the leg bands. Redleg tarantulas spend most daylight hours in burrows and emerge at night to hunt. They use hairs on their legs and abdomen for defense against predators.

4. Common Scorpion Spider

The Common Scorpion Spider, found in Africa, makes its home under rocks and logs. Its flattened body allows it to squeeze into narrow spaces. Thick orange legs stand out against the black body, resembling the appearance of some scorpion species. The front legs are held in an upward curving position adding to the similarities.

Spiders exhibit a spectacular range of colors and patterns on their legs ranging from bright red to orange-brown. Vivid leg coloration serves a variety of purposes depending on the species including camouflage, attracting prey, finding mates, and mimicry.

Small jumpers, fast-moving ground hunters, orbweaving web-builders, crab spiders, and bulky tarantulas are just some examples of spiders with reddish and orange legs. These colorful spiders can be found on every continent around the globe in ecosystems from forests to deserts. Whether they are tiny or tremendous, spiders with red and orange legs continue to fascinate and delight nature lovers.