The Most Popular Spider, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the spider you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 11, 2024 06:51
Many people have a fascination with spiders, whether fueled by curiosity or a need to appreciate the role these creatures play in our ecosystems. By providing a ranking of the most popular spiders, we offer enthusiasts and researchers alike an insightful look into which species capture the most interest and why.
This list is driven by your votes and offers a continuously updated snapshot of which spiders are gaining attention and admiration from the public. Whether you are a seasoned arachnologist, an ardent nature lover, or just someone keen on learning more about these diverse beings, your participation helps shape this dynamic overview.
What Is the Most Popular Spider?
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184votes
Br-recluse-guy · Public domainBrown recluse spider - known for its venomous bite and distinctive violin-shaped marking on its body.The Brown recluse spider, also known as the violin spider or the fiddleback spider, is a venomous spider species found primarily in the United States. It is known for its distinctive violin-shaped marking on its cephalothorax, which gives it its common names. The Brown recluse spider measures about 6-20 mm in body length, with long and thin legs that can span up to 50 mm. Their coloration varies from light tan to dark brown, and they have three pairs of eyes, unlike most spiders that have four pairs.- Scientific Name: Loxosceles reclusa
- Habitat: Primarily found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Southern states.
- Venom: The Brown recluse spider's bite can cause necrotic skin lesions, with some cases leading to severe consequences.
- Web Type: Brown recluse spiders are not prolific web builders and tend to build irregular webs in secluded areas.
- Behavior: They are reclusive spiders and usually only bite when threatened or disturbed.
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235votesBlack widow spider - known for its distinctive red hourglass-shaped marking on its body and venomous bite.The Black widow spider is a highly venomous spider known for its distinctive appearance and dangerous bite. It belongs to the Latrodectus genus of spiders, and specifically, the Latrodectus mactans species. The female Black widow spiders are notorious for their black glossy bodies and bright red hourglass-shaped marking on their abdomen. The males, on the other hand, are significantly smaller and less conspicuous.
- Scientific Name: Latrodectus mactans
- Family: Theridiidae
- Venom: Neurotoxic
- Habitat: Warm regions worldwide
- Web Type: Irregular tangled web
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323votes
Jacek Sroka, Archiwum Metal Mind Productions · Public domainWolf spider - one of the largest and most common species of spider, found all over the world.The Wolf spider is a commonly known spider species that belongs to the family Lycosidae. It is agile and robust, making it one of the most successful hunters among spiders. The name 'Wolf spider' is derived from its hunting behavior, which resembles that of a wolf. These spiders can be found in diverse habitats worldwide, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas.- Size: Varies, typically 0.4-1.2 inches (10-30 mm)
- Color: Varies based on species, usually ranging from brown to gray
- Eyes: Eight eyes arranged in three rows
- Legs: Eight long and slender legs, enabling fast movement
- Habitat: Diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, and urban areas
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419votesGarden spider - known for its distinctive yellow and black markings and large size.The Garden spider, also known as the orb-weaver spider, is a common and widely recognized species of spider found in gardens and wooded areas.
- Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus
- Size: Females: 8-20 mm, Males: 5-12 mm
- Color: Typically yellow or orange with black markings
- Web Type: Spiral orb web
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
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512votes
Opoterser · CC BY-SA 3.0Jumping spider - known for its ability to jump long distances and its large eyes.The Jumping spider is a fascinating arachnid known for its unique appearance and impressive jumping ability. It belongs to the family Salticidae and is characterized by its compact body and highly developed eyes, which provide it with excellent vision.- Size: Jumping spiders range in size from 0.04 to 0.98 inches (1 to 25 millimeters) in length.
- Colors: They come in a wide array of colors and patterns, including vibrant combinations of black, white, red, yellow, and green.
- Eyes: Jumping spiders have excellent vision thanks to their unique arrangement of eyes. They usually have four large eyes at the front, providing sharp and color vision, while the remaining smaller eyes help detect motion and judge distance.
- Jumping Ability: These spiders are renowned for their extraordinary jumping skills. They can leap many times their body length, using a combination of muscular power and hydraulic pressure in their legs.
- Hunting Strategy: Jumping spiders are active hunters. They don't build webs to catch prey but rather stalk and pounce on their victims with remarkable precision, aided by their acute vision.
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617votes
J.M.Garg · CC BY 3.0Orb-weaver spider - known for its distinctive circular webs and colorful markings.The Orb-weaver spider is a common name given to a broad family of spiders (Araneidae) that belong to the order Araneae. These spiders are known for their impressive circular-shaped webs, which they use to capture flying insects.- Size: Varies from 0.1 to 1 inch (2.5 to 25 mm) in body length
- Color: Most common species are brown, black, or gray with distinct patterns
- Web Construction: Orb-shaped with radial and spiral threads
- Web Size: Ranges from a few inches to several feet in diameter
- Habitat: Found worldwide in various environments, including forests, gardens, and grasslands
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712votesDaddy longlegs spider - known for its long, thin legs and small body.The Daddy longlegs spider, also known as the harvestman, is not technically a spider but belongs to the order Opiliones. These arachnids are characterized by their long, thin legs and compact bodies. Unlike true spiders, Daddy longlegs do not possess venom glands or silk-producing organs. They can be found in various habitats worldwide, including forests, grasslands, and caves.
- Size: Body length ranges from 2 to 20 millimeters
- Legs: Eight long and slender legs
- Coloration: Varies from brown and gray to yellow and black
- Habitat: Found in diverse habitats globally
- Diet: Primarily scavengers, feeding on dead insects and plant matter
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89votesTarantula - known for its large size and hairy appearance.The Tarantula is a large species of spider that is often kept as an exotic pet. Known for its intriguing appearance and unique behaviors, it has gained popularity among arachnid enthusiasts. These spiders are native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
- Size: Varies (ranging from 1 to 12 inches)
- Lifespan: Up to 30 years (depending on species)
- Venomous: Most species possess venom, but only a few are medically significant to humans
- Habitat: Terrestrial, found in burrows or natural crevices
- Behavior: Generally docile, but can display defensive behavior if provoked
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95votesCrab spider - known for its ability to change color to blend in with its surroundings.Crab spiders are a type of arachnid known for their unique appearance and hunting tactics. They belong to the family Thomisidae and are found worldwide.
- Size: Varies depending on the species, typically between 5 to 15 millimeters
- Color: Can change their color to match the surroundings, but often found in white, yellow, or pink shades
- Body Shape: Flat, broad, and crab-like, with two pairs of long front legs used for grabbing prey
- Habitat: Can be found in gardens, meadows, forests, and even urban environments
- Hunting Strategy: Ambush predators that stay motionless on flowers or plant stems, relying on camouflage to ambush unsuspecting insects
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1012votes
JonRichfield · CC BY-SA 3.0Huntsman spider - known for its large size and speed.The Huntsman spider, scientifically known as Sparassidae, is a large and speedy spider belonging to the family Sparassidae. It is popularly referred to as the Huntsman spider due to its hunting techniques and quick movements. These spiders are known for their large size and their ability to adapt to various environments. They are found in different parts of the world, including Australia, Asia, and Africa.- Size: Can reach a leg span of up to 12 inches
- Speed: Capable of running up to 1.5 feet per second
- Food: Feeds on insects, small reptiles, and even other spiders
- Color: Varies based on species, commonly brown or gray
- Habitat: Can be found in trees, under bark, and inside houses or buildings
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Ranking factors for popular spider
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Geographic distributionthe species should have a wide distribution across different continents and regions.
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Habitat diversitythe spider should be adapted to a variety of habitats, such as forests, deserts, or grasslands.
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Sizespiders that are large enough to be easily seen and observed by humans are usually more popular.
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Venomspiders that have potent venom and are a potential danger to humans tend to capture the public's attention.
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Cultural significancespiders that have a strong connection to mythology, folklore, or popular culture are more likely to be popular.
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Scientific interestspiders that have unique physical characteristics or behavioral traits that make them interesting to scientists are often more popular.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular spider. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or spider is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2425 views
- 222 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each spider once every 24 hours. The rank of each spider is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular spider
Spiders are fascinating creatures that have been the subject of much curiosity and fear for centuries. There are over 45,000 species of spiders found all over the world, with a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Despite their reputation as creepy crawlers, many people are fascinated by these eight-legged creatures and enjoy learning more about them.
When it comes to the most popular spider, opinions may vary depending on personal preferences and experiences. Some may argue that the tarantula is the most popular due to its large size and distinctive appearance, while others may argue that the black widow or brown recluse are the most well-known due to their reputation for being venomous.
Regardless of which spider takes the top spot, it's clear that these arachnids have captured the attention and imagination of people around the world. From their intricate webs to their unique hunting tactics, spiders continue to fascinate and intrigue us.
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