Orange spiders exist around the world, but they are not extremely common. Seeing an orange spider scurry across your floor or lurk in the corner can be startling. You may wonder if its bright color indicates that it’s venomous or how to identify the species. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about orange spiders.
What Makes a Spider Orange?
For a spider to be classified as orange, it must have some orange coloring on its body, head, abdomen, or legs. The shade can range from bright pumpkin orange to a darker burnt orange hue. Some species only have orange on certain body parts like the abdomen. Others have combinations of orange, black, and white patterns. There are even tiny jumping spiders with fuzzy orange rear ends.
Orange spiders exist on every continent except Antarctica They live in many habitats from rainforests to deserts
Are Orange Spiders Venomous or Dangerous?
The good news is that the majority of orange spiders are not medically significant to humans. Their venom is either weak, they have small fangs incapable of penetrating human skin, or they are reluctant to bite. Some can inflict a painful nip, but it’s less severe than a bee sting.
Nevertheless. there are a few orange spider species of note
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Brown widow – Has neurotoxic venom similar to the black widow. Bites can cause swelling and pain but are rarely life-threatening.
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Orange baboon tarantula – An African species popular as pets. It has a painful bite but is not lethal. Known for being defensive.
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Orange sac spider – Rarely bites humans but has caused mild necrosis in some cases.
So while most orange spiders are harmless, it’s still smart to practice caution and teach children not to touch them.
Identifying Common Orange Spiders
Here are some of the most frequently seen orange spiders around the world:
Marbled Orb Weaver – Plump orange and black abdomen with spiny orange legs. Female is up to 0.8 inches long. Found in forests worldwide.
Pumpkin Spider – Nickname for orange variants of orb weavers like the marbled orb weaver. Named for their round, pumpkin-like shape and coloring.
Woodlouse Spider – Shiny reddish head and legs with pale brownish abdomen. Eats woodlice. Up to 0.6 inches long.
Lynx Spider – Elongated body with stripes. Legs are covered in spines. There are multiple orange species 0.2 to 0.3 inches long.
Jumping Spiders – Tiny and fuzzy. Have large front eyes. Some have orange abdomens and black heads/legs.
Crab Spiders – Bulbous body. Front two pairs of legs are much longer than back pairs. Some are orange with black spots or stripes.
Orb Weavers – Spin large circular webs. Many orange varieties like the arrowhead orb weaver and shamrock orb weaver.
Wolf Spiders – Hairy with camouflage colors. Some tropical species are orange and black. Live on the ground.
Triangle Spider – Unusual heart-shaped orange abdomen with white dots. Two front pairs of legs are noticeably larger.
Tarantulas – Orange baboon tarantula has orange legs and upper body with star-shaped pattern on lower abdomen.
Tips for Identifying Orange Spiders
Look for key features that indicate a spider:
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8 legs attached to the combined head/thorax area
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2 main body parts – larger abdomen and smaller cephalothorax (head/thorax)
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Most have 8 simple eyes in various arrangements
For orange coloration, look for:
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Bright pumpkin-like shade to darker burnt orange hues
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Solid orange color or orange patches/patterns
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Orange legs, head, or abdomen (rear section)
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Fuzzy orange coat on jumping spiders
Compare to pictures to match up markings and body shape. Examine the eyes and leg details too.
What to Do If You See an Orange Spider
If you spot an orange spider in your home, begin by capturing it safely. Jars or plastic containers work well. Slide cardboard gently underneath to scoop it up without touching it.
Identify it if you can, then look up any risks associated with that species. Most can be released back outside unharmed. Vacuum up any visible webbing too.
Seal any cracks or gaps where it may have entered. Spiders don’t like strong scents either, so citrus or mint oil can help deter them. Keeping your home clean and dry also discourages spiders.
While most orange spiders are harmless, their startling appearance can cause fear. Educating yourself about them is the best way to overcome spider phobias. Their colorful bodies show nature’s creativity, even if they give us the creeps!
Orange spiders exist on every continent except Antarctica in a variety of habitats. While startling to encounter, very few orange spider species pose a danger to humans. Most have mild or no venom and are reluctant to bite people. A few exceptions like the brown widow do have more toxic bites. Proper identification and safely capturing and releasing spiders are the best practices for peacefully coexisting with these colorful creepy crawlies in your environment. With proper education about their threat level and prevention tactics, orange spiders don’t need to be feared.
The most ORANGE TARANTULA IN THE WORLD!!
FAQ
Is the orange spider poisonous?
It’s quite a common spider, ranging all across North America, from Northern Canada down to Texas and coast to coast. Even though they are brightly colored THEY ARE NOT VENOMOUS (remember venomous means “injecting venom” and plants and animals are only poisonous if you eat them.
What is the orange spider called?
It’s the marbled orb weaver (Araneus marmoreus), also known as “the pumpkin spider.” The name originates from its large, orange abdomen’s resemblance to a fat pumpkin.
Are orange wolf spiders poisonous to humans?
And they’re medium-sized — about 1/2 to 2 inches long. Wolf spiders aren’t venomous, meaning that they don’t make or secrete venom (poison). But bites from any kind of spider have the potential to cause an allergic reaction in some people, so you still want to avoid getting bit.
Is the orange crab spider poisonous?
They are not harmful to humans and are a great way to control the population of other insects like bees, wasps, mosquitoes, and flies in your yard.
Are orange spiders uncommon?
Orange spiders are relatively rare because only a few species of spiders have orange bodies and heads. The most common orange spider is the marbled orb-weaver, which has a bulbous orange abdomen and orange and black patterns. Other species of orange arachnids include the woodlouse spider, cross orb-weaver spider, and triangular spiders.
What are the common types of orange spiders?
There are several types of orange spiders, including black and orange spiders, that you might encounter in your home, garden, or outdoor spaces. The marbled orb-weaver is the most common type of orange spider.
What is a common spider with a bulbous orange abdomen?
The marbled orb-weaver is the most common spider with a bulbous orange abdomen and orange and black patterns. Other species of orange arachnids include the woodlouse spider, cross orb-weaver spider, and triangular spiders. There are also species of jumping spiders with orange and black bodies.
Where do orange spiders live?
The orange species of spiders is particularly common in the Southern parts of its range. It is found along the Eastern US coast, as well as throughout Central America. Its orange morph is mostly spotted in the Southern limit of its range.
What color are the legs of the orange spider?
The legs and cephalothorax of the orange spider are bright orange. Orange and white stripes are the most common on its abdomen. These vertical stripes help the species stand out.
Can you give an example of an orange spider?
One example is the orange Spinybacked Orbweaver. This spider is dominated by an orange background color, with small black dots and black spines. It also has tiny orange dots visible on its almost completely black ventral side.