Common Large Spiders

Jumping Spiders

• Jumping spiders belong to the salticidae family of spiders. A jumping spider is described as bold and stocky and usually is bright in color. This species of spider has keen eyesight, with eight eyes, including one large frontal pair. This spider's body grows to be about a half-inch long. The jumping spider's initial bite causes a sharp pain, but bites are not considered dangerous. Because jumping spiders have relatively good eyesight, they usually hunt their insect prey at night at a fast and quick leap---stalking prey before the actual attack. Jumping spiders are found outside around cracks and cervices of homes.

Tarantulas

• Tarantulas are in the hairy mygalomorph family in the genus aphonopelma. Tarantulas are very hairy and very large in size, with the average adult tarantula about 3 inches in length. These spiders are brown or black in color. The female tarantula is usually larger than the male tarantula. It is not uncommon for tarantulas to be kept as pets as they are generally tame insects but can become upset and break skin with their fangs. Some people are also allergic to hair on the tarantula's body. Tarantulas eat live crickets, mealworms or caterpillars but can go for weeks without eating.

Wolf Spiders

• The name says it all. A wolf spider grows to have a body an inch long, and its legs can be 2 or more inches long. Wolf spiders are usually gray or black in color and sometimes having a reddish brown or tan appearance. One set of the wolf spider's eyes are larger than the other sets. Wolf spiders are also hunters, hunting both day and night. Wolf spiders biting humans is not common, but no danger or poisoning results. This spider makes a web in the daytime but not to capture prey, but instead for a shelter.