Outdoor Spiders in Oregon

Oregon is home to many types of outdoor spider species. Dangerous spiders such as the hobo spider and Western black widow can be found outdoors, but they often prefer dark indoor spaces. Most of the outdoor spiders that stay outdoors are harmless to humans and are easy to identify.

  1. Crab Spiders

    • Crab spiders are commonly found in sunny areas, particularly on flowers, in Oregon. Crab spiders do not build webs; they prey upon insects that land on the flowers they are living in. They are easy to identify because the front two pairs of legs are long and extended sideways, giving them the appearance of a crab. Females can reach 3/8 of an inch in length; males are much smaller, reaching a length of 5/32 of an inch. Females are normally yellow or white in color, and they can change color slightly to blend in with the flower they are on. Males are normally a pale yellow color with dark reddish front legs.

    Garden Spiders

    • Garden spiders are commonly found in vegetation, branches, shrubs and gardens in Oregon. Adult female species of this spider build orb shaped webs to capture insects, and adult males wander around looking for females to mate with. Females have a body length of 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch, and males reach a maximum length of 3/8 of an inch. Females appear to be much bigger because they have large, fat abdomens; the abdomens of males are narrow and skinny. Both males and females are brown to reddish-brown in color.

    Wolf and Lynx Spiders

    • Both wolf and lynx spiders are active hunters during the day,and can commonly be found in tall grass, tall vegetation and open outdoor areas in Oregon. Both species will actively stalk insects and other prey, and the lynx spider will also take a non-active hunting approach, waiting for insects to come to them. Lynx spiders are often seen basking in the sun, and they are bronze in color with many little spines on their legs. Wolf spiders are normally dark brown or brown in color, and they can be hairy. It is possible to see many young baby spiders on the back of a wolf spider, since females carry around their young after birth, until they are old enough to hunt.

    Grass Spiders

    • Grass spiders are another common outdoor spider in Oregon. Like the name implies, they are often found outdoors in any grassy area. They build webs in low grasses and in low vegetation. The webs are flat, with a funnel-shaped retreat area in the rear. When insects are caught in the web, the spiders will come out of the funnel-shaped area and drag the prey back into it. Their total length, including legs, is between 1 1/4 inches to 1 1/2 inches in length. These spiders are normally medium brown in color.