Colorado is home to a wide variety of spider species. From harmless garden spiders to venomous black widows spiders can be found living in every corner of the state. For anyone looking to identify spiders they find in Colorado this guide covers some of the most common species and where to find them.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are hunting spiders that don’t make webs to catch prey. Instead, they rely on their excellent eyesight and speed to chase down food. Many kinds of wolf spiders can be found across Colorado, especially in areas with rocks, logs, and leaf litter that they can hide under during the day.
Some wolf spiders you may encounter include the Carolina Wolf Spider, which is the largest in North America and can be identified by its mottled brown body. The Western Lynx Spider is smaller but has distinctive spines on its legs.
Orb Weavers
Orb weaver spiders spin large, intricate, circular webs to trap flying insects. The webs can often be spotted in gardens, fields, and forests in Colorado.
Keep an eye out for the Banded Garden Spider, which has bright yellow and black stripes and builds huge webs close to the ground The Spotted Orb Weaver can be found in vegetation near lights at night and has rusty red coloring.
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders are compact, fuzzy spiders that actively hunt rather than building webs Using their incredible eyesight, jumping spiders will creep up on prey before pouncing
In Colorado, you may see the Bold Jumping Spider with its fuzzy black body and distinctive white markings. The Zebra Jumping Spider has black and white striped hairs. Jumping spiders are harmless to humans.
Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders are delicate spiders that make tangled, messy webs in corners of basements and ceilings. The most common is the Long-bodied Cellar Spider, which has long, spindly legs and a small body.
Despite their small size, cellar spiders help control pest populations by catching insects in their webs. They are not dangerous to humans.
Sac Spiders
Sac spiders get their name from the silken sacs they construct for shelter. The Northern Yellow Sac Spider is one of the most common in Colorado homes and buildings. It has a light yellow body with brown jaws.
The Western Black Widow is one of Colorado’s few dangerous spider species. The female black widow has a distinctive red hourglass shape on her underside. Bites can be medically significant.
Fishing Spiders
As their name suggests, fishing spiders hunt along the water’s edge. In Colorado, the Striped Fishing Spider can be found near lakes and rivers. They have brown bodies with light stripes on their legs.
Despite being one of Colorado’s largest spider species, fishing spiders pose no threat to humans. At most, they may bite in self-defense if handled.
Tarantulas
The Texas Brown Tarantula is a large, hairy spider that lives in Colorado’s drier scrublands and canyons. They are mostly brown or black. Tarantulas look intimidating but are not aggressive toward humans.
Other hairy mygalomorph spiders like trapdoor spiders and folding door spiders can also be found in parts of Colorado. They help keep pest populations in check.
Crab Spiders
Crab spiders have a laterigrade (sideways) walking style that resembles crabs. They do not spin webs but ambush prey among flowers and vegetation. Some common examples in Colorado are the Goldenrod Crab Spider and Zebra Spider.
Finding and Identifying Spiders
The best places to look for spiders in Colorado are in garages, gardens, parks, forests, and other areas with plenty of hiding spots and insect prey. Many spiders are nocturnal, so using a flashlight at night will help spot them.
Identifying spiders begins with noting key features like body shape, leg length, colors, and patterns. Resources like field guides or websites can help match your spider to known species after making initial observations.
Spider Safety
Most spiders in Colorado are not dangerous to humans and help control pest populations. If you want to remove a spider from your home, capture it gently in a cup and release it instead of killing it. Understanding local spiders leads to more appreciation for these misunderstood creatures that play vital ecological roles.
The Difference Between The House Spider And The Giant House Spider
there are two common house spiders you may be dealing with: the house spider and the giant house spider. Let’s dive into their key differences to help you better understand the arachnids that may be lurking in your home.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” module_class=”custom-row” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” module_class=”second-on-mobile” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Firstly, the house or barn funnel spider is a common visitor in many homes. This spider species is relatively small and typically measures around 5-8mm in body length. House spiders can range in color from beige to dark brown. They usually prefer to build their webs in areas where they can easily catch prey, such as in corners or under furniture. While house spiders may be unsightly, they generally aren’t harmful to humans or pets.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_ src=”https://omnispest.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/the-barn-funnel-spider-is-a-common-house-spider-1-1024×640.jpg” alt=”the barn funnel spider” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” module_class=”custom-row” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” module_class=”second-on-mobile” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
The Giant House Spider
Jumping spiders are a common type of spider in homes across the world. They are known for their ability to jump up to 50 times their body length, which is one of the reasons why they have the name jumping spiders. These spiders are known for their distinctive appearance, large, forward-facing eyes that give them excellent vision, and a furry appearance that makes them a popular choice for photography.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||38px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_ src=”https://omnispest.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/the-jumping-spider-1-1024×640.jpg” alt=”the jumping spider” title_text=”the jumping spider” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Identifying Spiders in Colorado
FAQ
Are there any poisonous spiders in Colorado?
There are only two spider species in Colorado that are capable of biting (and harming) humans. Colorado is home to only one of those two species: the Black Widow. However, The Brown Recluse Spider–another lethal-biting spider–is also staking its territory in this state, much to residents’ fear for their safety.
What are the most common spiders in Colorado?
The most common types of spiders in Colorado are house spiders, wolf spiders, and black widow spiders. As their name suggests, house spiders often show up inside homes. The common house spider is typically brown or grey and has darker chevron markings on its body.
Are there any spiders in Colorado that look like brown recluse?
Along with funnel weavers, the wood louse hunter, Dysdera crocata, is also commonly mistaken for a brown recluse. Within homes, these spiders are almost always found in basements. Outdoors they may be common under rocks and around gardens.
What are the giant spiders in Colorado?
Wolf spiders, among the largest spiders found in Colorado, are often mistaken as tarantulas. These beneficial spiders are foraging hunters that do not spin a web to capture food.