Instructions
Observe the insect's body. Spiders can come in different colors, including muted gray, dull brown, bright black, bright yellow and vibrant green. A spider's body has two regions (cephalothorax and abdomen) and they may have a part that looks like pinchers.
Count the creature's legs and eyes. Spiders are commonly recognized by their eight, distinct legs that can be hairy or smooth, depending on the spider species. Additionally, count the eyes on the creature; most spiders have eight eyes (except for a few types that have six) that reflect light.
Evaluate the habitat. Spiders can be found in bushes, homes, trees and behind sheds. Some spiders burrow into grasses and beneath rocks. Spiders can also crawl through tight spaces and create webs in the tall wall corners within a home. Spider varieties are common throughout all 50 states in the U.S.
Look for a web. Spiders eat insects--such as flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, moths and crickets--that fall prey to their sticky webs. Spiders construct a web in an opportune area (bushes, flowers) to increase their chances of catching prey. Most webs have a "retreat" area that allows the spider to hide and escape to, like a nearby leaf or hidden crevice. Note that the jumping spider hunts without a web.
Observe the creature's behavior. Spiders mate, spin webs, float or jump on air and capture insects. They are often the prey of common creatures, including birds, lizards and larger spider varieties. Additionally, spiders can bite when threatened and are generally the most active during the nighttime.
Compare the insect to well-known poisonous spider species. Beware the female black widow, easily identified by her red bellied, circular (or hourglass) marking. If your spider has a dull, brown "violin-shaped" body, it may be an aggressive brown recluse species. Look for six eyes and smooth, hairless legs as added identifiers. Additionally, consider a comparison with the hobo spider, a species that looks remarkably like the brown recluse, but with hairy legs and a herringbone-style pattern on the body.
How to Identify a Spider
Identifying wild and pet spiders requires knowledge about the species. Many people enthusiastically bring spiders into their home as an exotic pet, while others prefer to keep spiders (and their webs) at bay. Because there are thousands of types of spiders--some poisionous, others harmless--it is important to understand common characteristics to help with spider identification.