Spotted Orbweavers (Neoscona crucifera) are common in gardens, backyards, and woodlands. Their colors range from tan to orange or red, with abdomen markings that vary between individuals. These spiders build large orb-shaped webs—sometimes up to 2 feet wide—using sticky spiral silk to trap flying insects. Mostly nocturnal, they hide during the day in curled leaves near their webs. Harmless to people and rarely found indoors, Spotted Orbweavers are considered beneficial insect hunters.

Southern House Spiders (Kukulcania hibernalis) are often mistaken for the more dangerous Brown Recluse due to their similar light-brown coloration. Females have gray abdomens with dark brown legs and grow up to ¾ inch, while males appear smaller and thinner. They spin flat, woolly, tangled webs indoors and outdoors, often on barns, homes, and bridges. Timid and non-venomous to humans, Southern House Spiders help control insect populations and pose no real danger.

The Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis) is the largest wolf spider in North America and a frequent summer visitor in Oklahoma. Brownish-black with gray hairs, these fast-moving hunters don’t build webs but instead chase down prey such as grasshoppers and crickets. They live in burrows or under rocks and may wander indoors while hunting. Though venomous, their bites are rare and no more painful than a bee sting.

The Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) is one of Oklahoma’s most dangerous spiders, identified by its violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax. Shy and reclusive, they prefer dark, undisturbed areas like storage boxes, attics, and crawlspaces. Their venom can cause serious skin damage, so bites require medical attention. Brown Recluses rarely bite unless trapped in clothing or disturbed, but professional removal is recommended if they are found indoors.

Rabid Wolf Spiders (Rabidosa rabida) are large, fast-moving hunters found across Oklahoma. Despite their alarming name, they do not carry rabies—the term refers to their quick, erratic movements. These nocturnal spiders burrow into the ground rather than spin webs. Their venom is harmless to humans, and although they may enter homes while hunting, they do not stay long.

The Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) is infamous for its shiny black body and red hourglass marking on the abdomen. Their tangled webs are often found in woodpiles, sheds, and undisturbed outdoor areas. A bite from a Black Widow can cause severe pain and muscle cramps, but fatalities are rare with modern treatment. Avoid disturbing their hiding spots and seek immediate medical help if bitten.

Bold Jumping Spiders (Phidippus audax) are small, active hunters often seen around mailboxes, patios, and walls. Black with a triangular white patch on the back, they sometimes display metallic blue-green chelicerae. These spiders don’t spin webs for hunting; instead, they leap onto prey, using silk as a safety line. Harmless to people, they are curious, energetic, and excellent at pest control.

Yellow Garden Spiders (Argiope aurantia) are large, eye-catching spiders with black-and-yellow abdomens and white heads. Females can grow up to 28mm and build webs up to 2 feet wide, often featuring a zig-zag silk pattern. They remain in one spot for life, rebuilding their webs daily. Though capable of biting if disturbed, they are non-threatening to humans and excellent at reducing insect pests.

Tan Jumping Spiders (Platycryptus undatus) have flat, compressed bodies that let them hide under tree bark and blend into wood surfaces with their camouflaged markings. Curious and active, they often perch on fences, posts, or walls to watch movement nearby. Males grow to about 9.5mm, while females reach up to 13mm. Though tame enough to crawl on a hand, they may bite if startled, but bites are harmless to humans.

The Oklahoma Brown Tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) is a large, hairy spider with a dark brown body and a leg span of up to 4 inches. Found mainly in grasslands, they live in underground burrows lined with silk. Although intimidating when they rear up or flick hairs in defense, they are docile and rarely bite. Their venom is mild and poses little risk to humans, making them more frightening in appearance than dangerous.

Green Lynx Spiders (Peucetia viridans) are slender, bright green hunters found in shrubs, tall grass, and woodland edges. Females grow to about 22mm and can change color slightly with the seasons or environment. Recognizable by chevron-shaped markings on their back, these spiders are excellent insect predators. They rarely bite humans, but their venom may cause temporary pain or swelling.

Dimorphic Jumping Spiders (Maevia inclemens) live up to their name by showing two distinct male color forms: black with yellow legs or tan with reddish legs. Females resemble the males but are covered in short body hairs. Active hunters with excellent jumping ability, they use silk lines to secure prey. Non-aggressive and small in size, they pose no threat to people.

The Flea Jumping Spider (Naphrys pulex) is a small gray-and-black spider, often marked with orange along the sides. At only 10mm long, it can leap more than four times its body length to capture prey. Using sharp eyesight, it hunts insects like crickets, grasshoppers, and cockroaches. Flea Jumping Spiders are harmless to humans, with bites causing only mild irritation if provoked.

Peppered Jumping Spiders (Pelegrina galathea) are tiny hunters, growing to just 5.5mm. Females are gray with white-and-black speckled patterns, while males are bronze brown with pale markings near the eyes that resemble a frown. Found in tall grasses and wooded areas, they are effective natural pest control. Harmless to people, their bites are too small to cause concern.

Golden Jumping Spiders (Paraphidippus aurantius), also called Emerald Spiders, are known for their metallic green sheen. Males are black with white spots, while females are brown with orange accents. Both have distinctive lines of hair down their backs. Growing up to 10mm, they ambush prey and return to silk retreats to feed. Occasionally found indoors, these spiders are shy and not dangerous to people.

The Brilliant Jumping Spider (Phidippus clarus) is an active hunter often seen in open fields. Females reach about 4mm, while males are slightly smaller at 3.2mm. Their color varies from reddish-brown to yellow-brown with a dark stripe down the back. They hang upside down on leaves or stems, waiting to leap onto passing prey. Harmless to humans, their size and behavior make them easy to identify.

American Nursery Web Spiders (Pisaurina mira) are long-bodied brown hunters that resemble wolf spiders but are slimmer with raised heads. They live near water, tall grass, and wooded areas. Females are known for carrying egg sacs and guarding their young in protective silk “nurseries.” Though they may bite if their eggs are threatened, their venom is not dangerous to people.

Bronze Jumping Spiders (Eris militaris) are medium-sized jumpers with males reaching 6.7mm and females up to 8mm. Males are darker bronze with bold white markings, while females are lighter bronze with subtler spots. Curious and sometimes willing to explore human hands, these ambush hunters are harmless and valuable for insect control.

Striped Lynx Spiders (Oxyopes salticus) are greenish-brown spiders with bold leg hairs and stripes running along their body. They grow up to 6mm, with females slightly larger. These spiders are ambush hunters, often found on plants where they capture insects for food. They are not harmful to humans and play an important role in controlling pests.

Putnam’s Jumping Spider (Phidippus putnami) is a hairy spider with tufts above its eyes, giving it a distinctive look. Active hunters, they use excellent vision to track prey and leap several times their body length, securing meals with silk. Found outdoors on plants, fences, and sometimes indoors, they are harmless to people and helpful in keeping insect numbers down.

The Common Hentz Spider (Anahita punctulata) is a small, reddish-brown hunter with long dark-red front legs and yellow rear legs. Females grow to about 7mm, males to 5mm. Often found in leaf piles or near homes, these spiders ambush prey with their strong front legs. They may bite if provoked, but the pain is mild and short-lived, making them more nuisance than threat.

Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis) is a spiky orb-weaving spider with females reaching about 10mm in length. Their abdomens are white with black markings and spines, while males are smaller with fewer spines. They build large, tightly coiled webs in late summer and fall, often in wooded areas. Despite their fearsome appearance, they are harmless to people.

The Grayish Jumping Spider (Phidippus apacheanus or similar species) has a soft gray body with a reddish patch on its back. Like other jumping spiders, it hunts actively and uses silk only for resting or shelter. Quick and agile, it is harmless to people and helps control insect populations.

High Eyelashed Jumping Spiders (Phidippus mystaceus) are gray, hairy spiders with prominent tufts of hair above their eyes. They use strong vision and leaping ability to ambush prey and create small silk shelters for rest. Though they may bite if handled roughly, they are non-dangerous and beneficial insect hunters.

The Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) is a small, brightly colored spider often found in orchards, shrubs, and woodland edges. They hang upside down at the center of their circular webs, which they rebuild regularly. Recognizable by their leaf-green legs, silver backs with dark streaks, and spots of yellow, orange, and red, they are striking to see. Though harmless to people, they sometimes fall prey to wasps that lay eggs on them.

The Grass Spider (Agelenopsis spp.) is part of the funnel-weaving family and is known for its sheet-like webs with a tunnel entrance. They wait at the funnel’s end and rely on speed to ambush prey, since their webs are not sticky. Often confused with wolf spiders, they have brownish bodies with dark stripes. These spiders are non-aggressive and pose no threat to humans.

The Cardinal Jumping Spider (Phidippus cardinalis) stands out with its bright red, velvety body covered in dense hairs. Its legs are darker, creating a sharp contrast that highlights its color. Like other jumpers, it does not spin webs but instead stalks and leaps onto prey with accuracy. Though equipped with venom for hunting, it is harmless to people.

The Furrow Orbweaver (Larinioides cornutus) is a large spider with a bulbous body that can range in color from red to gray to black. Growing up to 14mm with leg spans reaching 34mm, it is commonly found near water, shrubs, or grassy areas. This species rebuilds its orb-shaped web each night and rests in hiding during the day. Despite its size, it is not dangerous to humans.

The Triangulate Combfoot (Steatoda triangulosa) is a small house spider often seen in dusty corners, under windowsills, and around cluttered spaces. It builds irregular webs filled with prey remains, which may include ants, ticks, and even other spiders like the Brown Recluse. Brown to orange in color with yellow legs and triangular patterns on its back, it has poor eyesight and relies on vibrations to detect prey. While capable of biting, it rarely does, and reactions are usually mild.

The Banded Garden Spider (Argiope trifasciata) is a large orb-weaver recognized by the distinct stripes on its long legs and patterned brown-and-yellow body. Females can reach 25mm and often hang upside down in their webs, which may stretch up to two feet across. Males build smaller webs nearby during mating season. These spiders are harmless and play a valuable role in controlling flying insect populations.

The Hammer-Jawed Jumping Spider (Zygoballus rufipes) is a skilled hunter with strong leaping abilities. Its appearance includes a squared head and coloration ranging from yellow to dark brown. Like other jumping spiders, it stalks insects and uses precise jumps to capture them. While it may bite if provoked, it is generally docile and not harmful to humans.

The White-Banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) is an ambush predator often found resting on flower petals. It uses its strong, forward-facing legs to grab unsuspecting pollinators such as bees or butterflies. Females can change color between white and yellow to blend into their surroundings, while males are smaller with golden bodies and darker legs. This spider is harmless to people and contributes to natural garden pest control.