
The information about different types of spiders is provided in the form of tables in this article.
Spiders are arthropods having eight legs and come under the class Arachnida. They are classified into many different types and there are around 40,000 species categorized in 109 families. Unlike other insect species, spiders do not possess antennae. Their limbs do not have extensor muscles. The extension of limbs takes place by means of hydraulic pressure. Spinnerets are the glands present at the abdominal tips of spiders. These glands help spiders in spinning webs.
Different Types of Spiders
Spiders are classified mainly into 2 groups i.e. Mygalomorphs and Araneomorphs. Mygalomorphs are primitive forms having 4 book lungs, while Araneomorphs are true spiders with 2 book lungs. The examples of Mygalomorphs are tunnelweb and tarantula spiders. Orbweb and hunting spiders belong to the Araneomorph category.
Mygalomorphs
The list included in the Mygalomorph suborder is presented below
Dwarf Tarantulas | Wafer Trapdoor Spiders |
Funnel-web Tarantulas | Tree Trapdoor Spiders |
Venomous Funnel-web Tarantulas | Cork-lid Trapdoor Spiders |
Trapdoor Baboon Spiders | Baldlegged Spiders |
Purse Web Spiders | Trapdoor Baboon Spiders |
Araneomorphs
Lampshade Spiders | Crevice Weavers |
Large-clawed Spiders | False Violin Spiders |
Crevice Weavers | Spitting Spiders |
Leptonetid Spiders | Recluse Spiders |
Long-legged Cave Spiders | Midget Ground Weavers |
Daddy Long-legs Spiders | Coneweb Spiders |
Armored Spiders | Plectreurid Spiders |
Dwarf Hunting Spiders | Woodlouse Hunter Spiders |
Velvet Spiders | Tubeweb Spiders |
Disc Web Spiders | Tree Trunk Spiders |
Pelican Spiders | Shield Spiders |
Palp-footed Spiders | Net-casting Spiders |
Pirate Spiders | Orb-weaver Spiders |
Hackled Orb-Weaver | Spurred Orb-Weavers |
Dwarf/Money Spiders | Dwarf Orb-weavers |
Large-jawed Spiders | Long Jawed Orb-Weavers |
Ray Spiders | Cobweb Spiders |
Wolf Spiders | Tropical Wolf Spiders |
Nursery Web Spiders | Lynx Spiders |
Zoropsid Spiders | Zorocratid Spiders |
Tangled Nest Spiders | Araneomorph Funnel-web Spiders |
Intertidal Spiders | Anyphaenid Sac Spiders |
Dwarf Sheet Spiders | Dictynid Spiders |
Wall Spiders | Huntsman Spiders |
Tengellid Spiders | Zodariid Ground Spiders |
Long-legged Sac Spiders | Sac Spiders |
Flat-bellied Ground Spiders | Titanoecid Spiders |
Long-spinneret Ground Spiders | White-tailed Spiders |
Crab Spiders | Philodromid Crab Spiders |
Liocranid Sac Spiders | Dark Sac Spiders |
Types of House Spiders
Out of the 2,500 spider species found in North America, only a few are house dwellers. The information about common spiders found in houses is presented below.
Common House Spider
This spider is generally found on ceilings in the house. The common house spider bites on rare occasions. However, it is not poisonous. Even if this creature bites, complications like blisters, lesions, etc. do not occur.
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse spider is a nocturnal creature and hides in bags, boxes, folds of blankets, clothing, etc. The bite of this spider injects toxic venom into the body. One should therefore consult a doctor immediately.
Jumping Spider
This spider usually enters the house in the cold season. Instead of waiting for its prey to get trapped in the web, it pounces or jumps on it. The specialty of this spider is that among all spiders, its eyesight is the best.
Long-legged Cellar Spider
The long-legged cellar spider is generally found hanging from webs in corners. This spider’s way of defending itself is to vibrate its body rapidly. It is not poisonous and its frequency of biting is very low.
Sac Spider
The sac spider does not weave webs and searches for spaces to hide instead. Its bite is painful, however, it is not as harmful as that of the brown recluse. Antibiotics need to be used to cure the infection resulting from the bite.
The list of types of spiders presented above includes various spider species from the Mygalomorph and Araneomorph sub orders. The characteristics/features of common types of house spiders too are explained in short. Thus, one gets a rough idea of the classification of spiders.