Spiders in Eastern Montana

Eastern Montana is much different than the west part of the state. Eastern Montana is considered to be the area east of the Rocky Mountains, from Great Falls to the border with North and South Dakotas. The geography of eastern Montana is different than that of the west. It is crisscrossed by several rivers but is mostly made up of plains and grasslands. Thousands of spiders species are known to live in eastern Montana.

  1. House Spiders

    • Despite the sparse human population in eastern Montana, house spiders are still one of the more common types found in the area. These spiders of the family Theridiida live in houses behind and under furniture and in attics, building asymmetrical webs. Common household spiders have round abdomen and long, thin legs. The hobo spider is among the most aggressive house spiders. Their bites can cause painful lesions on people. The hobo spider is found in parts of eastern and central Montana, but has not been found east of Billings, according to Montana State University.

    Jumping and Wolf Spiders

    • The jumping spiders and wolf spiders are common, non-web-spinning spiders in eastern Montana. These spiders rely on their speed and stalk their prey, which usually includes insects. They live underneath rocks and undergrowth in the wild. In the home, these spiders live in dark crevices or near screens, windows and doors. Jumping spiders are usually medium size, with short, hairy legs. Wolf spiders can grow to an inch, making them among the largest spiders in Montana.

    Orb Weaver and Funnel Spiders

    • Orb weaver spiders and funnel spiders are the common web-weaving spiders in eastern Montana. Orb weaver spiders are known for their large, round elaborate webs. These are usually spun outdoors, giving the orb weaver spider its alternate name, the garden spider. Funnel spiders spin layers of spider silk against other structures to form a funnel to catch prey. Orb weavers are known for their round, colorful abdomens, with orange or yellow colorings. Funnel spiders are small, dark gray or black, with long legs.

    Black widow spiders

    • Two species of black widow spiders are common to eastern Montana, and they are the most venomous spiders in the state. Black widow spiders aren't aggressive, but if they are protecting their eggs, their bite can be potentially deadly. Black widow spiders are distinguished by the red, hourglass-shaped mark on the abdomen of the female. The female is the more venomous of the species. Black widow spiders can be found in the wild and in homes.