Spiders are grouped into families based on features such as body shape, eye arrangement, and how they hunt. Start with these six well-known groups, each with its own way of life.
Wolf Spider
Fast, ground-dwelling hunters that chase down prey instead of building webs. Females carry their spiderlings on their backs.
Guide coming soon
Jumping Spider
Small, curious hunters with excellent eyesight that can leap many times their own body length.
Guide coming soon
Fishing Spider
Large spiders often found near ponds and streams. Many can rest on and move across the water’s surface.
Guide coming soon
Orb-Weaver Spider
Builders of the classic wheel-shaped web, often noticed in gardens from late summer into fall.
Guide coming soon
Huntsman Spider
Long-legged, flat-bodied spiders that move quickly, often sideways. In the U.S., they live mainly in warm southern areas.
Guide coming soon
Tarantula
Large, hairy, slow-moving spiders. U.S. species are native to the Southwest and south-central states.
Guide coming soon
Photo credits: Wolf spider: Toby, CC BY 4.0 (iNaturalist) · Jumping spider: Zygy, CC0 (iNaturalist) · Fishing spider: daksu, CC BY 4.0 (iNaturalist) · Orb-weaver: Joshua Zupan, CC0 (iNaturalist) · Huntsman spider: kcthetc1, CC0 (iNaturalist) · Tarantula: Loren Cassin Sackett, CC BY 4.0 (iNaturalist).