Spiders in Fields in Abilene, Texas

Many different spiders are native to Abilene, Texas. Some prefer to live in wood piles or may venture into houses, while others are commonly found in fields. Many spiders hunt only at night, making it difficult to find them unless you are searching for them in their hiding spots.

  1. Jumping Spiders

    • Jumping spiders are commonly seen in fields near Abilene because they hunt during the day. They come in various colors and patterns, but most of the jumping spiders near Abilene are stocky and brightly colored. The easiest way to identify them is by the way they stalk prey and then attack by leaping.

    Yellow Garden Spiders

    • Garden spiders have yellow, black, orange and silver colors on their bodies. Females are bigger than males; they have a body that is an inch long, with long legs extending from it. They are not commonly found in homes, preferring fields and gardens --- hence their name.

    Spinybacked Orbweavers

    • Spinybacked orbweavers are especially common in fields with trees or fields near a wooded area. As their name implies, their distinctive characteristic is their spiny back. Their bodies are flat and spiny, giving them a crablike appearance. They are white, red, orange or yellow in color. They are a pretty and harmless spider, but their giant webs can be a nuisance.

    Tarantulas

    • Tarantulas are common throughout Texas, including the Abilene area. They hunt at night, so they normally hide among rocks, in abandoned mouse burrows and in whatever other field shelter they can find. They are commonly sees on trails or at the edge of fields around dusk. People will recognize tarantulas because of their huge size. Females are 3 inches in long when full grown. They are also very hairy, and black and brown in color.