House Spider
ExploreInsects
House Spider
Parasteatoda tepidariorum
House Spiders are friendly spiders that like to live in our homes. They help keep other bugs away!
Habitat: Inside homes
Appearance
The House Spider has a compact, rounded body that is typically yellowish-brown to dark grey, often with subtle chevron patterns on its abdomen. Its eight long, slender legs are usually banded with a darker shade, giving it a somewhat striped appearance.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassArachnidaOrderAraneaeFamilyTheridiidaeGenusParasteatoda
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
A house spider's silk is super strong, even stronger than a steel thread of the same thickness!
Female house spiders can lay hundreds of eggs at once inside a protective, silky egg sac!
Some house spiders can regenerate lost legs after molting, like growing a brand new limb!
Spiders are very clean and spend hours grooming their eight legs and fangs.
Special abilities
Ability
Sticky Silk Slingers
House Spider can spin incredibly strong, sticky silk to build intricate webs that help them trap unsuspecting prey.
Ability
Silent Stalker Sensors
House Spider has tiny hairs on its legs that detect vibrations in its web, helping them locate prey or danger.
Ability
Gravity-Defying Grips
House Spider can walk upside down on smooth surfaces because of tiny claws and sticky hairs on its feet.
Measurements & details
- Size
- 3-8 mm
- Lifespan
- 730-1095 days
- Leg Count
- 8
Diet & Feeding
Tiny predators that capture insects in their sticky webs for a meal.
Primary Foods
- flies
- mosquitoes
- small moths
- ants
- silverfish
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
House Fly
Musca domestica
Traps and eats common house flies.
hunts
Common Mosquito
Culex pipiens
Catches mosquitoes in its sticky web.
eaten by
House Centipede
Scutigera coleoptrata
Can be prey for larger house centipedes.
eaten by
Wolf Spider
Geolycosa missouriensis
Larger wolf spiders might prey on them.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Web Builder
This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Common House SpiderDomestic House Spider
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is House Spider?
3-8 mm
How long does House Spider live?
730-1095 days
What does House Spider eat?
Tiny predators that capture insects in their sticky webs for a meal.
Where is House Spider usually found?
Inside homes
How does House Spider hunt?
Ambush
How many legs does House Spider have?
8
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