Things You'll Need
- Region specific spider identification guide with clear color photographs
- Quality magnifying glass
Instructions
Identifying a Spider
Familiarize yourself with your spider identification guide. Spend some time reading up on the spiders in your area. If there are certain ones you are looking for, take time to learn their preferences for habitat and what they look like.
Select a geographical region to examine. This can be a wildlife preserve or your own back yard. Several species of spiders can be found in a very small area. Old wood piles are a good place to find an assortment of species.
Use your magnifying glass to see color and detail. Try no to get too close when hunting spiders. You can startle them and they will run away. In the case of spiders that jump, it could also be very startling to you.
Compare what you see to your spider guide. This is where full color pictures become critical. If you have familiarized yourself with the guide, it will be easier to locate what you are looking for. Match what you see with the species in the guide book for identification.