Within the vast spider universe, boasting around 45,000 identified species, you’ll find a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are large, others are tiny, but a fascinating subset stands out for their notably large abdomens. This guide delves into the world of spiders with big butts, introducing you to 20 such species.
Part of the Arthropoda order, spiders share their classification with creatures like insects, scorpions, millipedes, and centipedes. Spiders comprise two segments and come equipped with four pairs of legs.
The size of a spider’s butt or abdomen can vary based on its species, sex, and recent feeding patterns. Typically, females tend to be larger than males and are often those sporting the larger butts. So, let’s embark on this intriguing journey, exploring 20 spider species renowned for their big butts and the captivating facts about them.
Table of Contents
Spiders With Big Butts
1. Giant Lichen Orbweaver
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus bicentenarius
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 10 to 30 mm ( 0.39 to 1.18 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Giant lichen orbweavers are mainly found in the United States and Canada. They live in the eastern half of the United States, and the southern region of Canada. This spider lives in moist woodland habitats. They build very large circular webs, using trees to support them.
The abdomens of this spider are very large and bulbous, and on some may have small horns, like protrusions that appear on the top of their bodies. Males have much smaller butts, with longer legs. Giant lichen orbweavers have greenish bodies, with dark brown and tan bands on their legs. A wavy pattern appears on them.
Their coloring and pattern looks similar to lichen moss, and other vegetation, helping them camouflage. Giant lichen orbweavers are nocturnal, and use their large webs to catch flying insects to feed on. This spider has a very large butt, and is one of the largest orbweavers, but is not dangerous.
2. Marbled Orbweaver
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus
- Other Names: Pumpkin spider
- Adult Size: 9 to 22 mm (0.35 to 0.86 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: $20
The marbled orb weaver has a large range that stretches across the globe, and has a Holarctic distribution. This spider is found in regions like North America, Japan, and Europe. Marbled orbweavers are active in the hot summer months, and live in vegetated moist environments.
This spider is also sometimes called the pumpkin spider, since its large abdomen is round, and sometimes orange like a pumpkin. They are named after the marbled pattern that appears on them, and have spindly legs with bands on them. This spider comes in many morphs, appearing in colors like white, orange, yellow, brown, red, and even white.
Marbled orbweavers that are females build large webs supported by plants like weeds, shrubs, and tall grasses. They use their webs to catch insects, feeding on prey like flies, moths, bees, and gnats. A string of silk is attached to their web to feel vibrations when something falls into their trap.
3. Cat-Faced Spiders
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus gemmoides
- Other Names: Jewel Spider
- Adult Size: 5 to 7 mm (0.19 to 0.27 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Cat-faced spiders live in the United States and Canada. This spider is active in the summer and fall months. They live under porches, in animal burrows, or other secluded places. Cat-faced spiders typically build webs that are a few feet above the ground, and are active in the day.
This spider has a very large abdomen, and it gets its name from its cat-like body. They have protrusions coming out of their body that look like cat ears, and dimples on their backs that look like eyes. This spider has orange to reddish coloring. Females are the ones with big butts, while males have smaller abdomens with long legs.
Cat-faced spiders eat their silk, and tear down their web to avoid being seen. This spider is active day and night in the fall when breeding. They die shortly after laying their eggs. Their egg sacs and spiderlings begin to emerge in the winter.
4. Alien Butt Spider
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Araneus praesignis
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 5 to 7 mm (0.19 to 0.27 in.)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Found mainly in Queensland Australia, the Alien butt spider is a type of orbweaver. It gets its name from its large bulbous abdomen, which have dark markings that look like the eyes of the alien. They also have a green appearance similar to an extraterrestrial, helping them blend into vegetation.
Alien butt spiders live in places with lots of plant life. They build webs that help them catch predators, and are smaller in size. This species when not active hides in a silk retreat. They feed on nocturnal flying insects, and other invertebrates that get caught in their silk.
Alien butt spiders are not dangerous to humans, but allergic reactions are possible. This spider can have a white mottled pattern on its abdomen, but is most recognizable by its green coloring, and alien eyes on its butt.
5. Banded Garden Spider
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Araneidae
- Scientific Name: Argiope trifasciata
- Other Names: Banded orb-weaving spider
- Adult Size: 15 to 25 mm (0.59 to 0.98 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Named after its black,silver, and yellow bands that appear on its body, the banded garden spider is one of the larger orb weaver species. This spider has a large range, found in places within Europe, North and South America. Gardens, grasslands, and open woodlands are some of the habitats this spider lives in. Summer and fall is when they are sighted most, and they are active in the day.
Banded garden spiders have large butts that have a pointed end. Females are much larger than males, and are more than double the size of them. Banded garden spiders sit in the center of their web, with their bodies in a shape.
Down the center of this spider’s web is a zig zag stabilimentum. Their webbed zig zag pattern is said to help birds see their webs when flying, and makes their web more stable. Insects like butterflies, bees, and other flying insects are what this spider eats, using webs to catch prey.
6. Joro Spider
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Nephilinae
- Scientific Name: Trichonephila clavata
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 7 to 25 mm ( 0.27 to 0.98 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
The Joro spider is one of the largest types of orbweavers, and are found all across Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. This spider has also managed to become invasive in areas within North America like Georgia, and South Carolina. When hatching these spider balloons into the sky, using their silk they travel far in the sky. Joro spiders build large webs, and are active in the day.
The legs of the Joro spider are black and spindly, with yellowish bands on them. They have large butts with an elongated shape, and yellow and gray coloring. Male Joro spiders are much smaller than females, and not even the size of a female’s legs.
Joro spiders have extremely strong silk, and use their webs to catch prey like flies, and mosquitoes. Despite their large size this spider is not aggressive, and is harmless to humans.
7. Southern Black Widow
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Latrodectus mactans
- Other Names: Shoe-button spider
- Adult Size: 8 to 13 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
- Average Price Range: $20
In the United States the southern black widow is one of the most common spiders in the Latrodectus genus. This spider is mainly found in the southeastern United States. They are active in the summer, and fall months, only coming out at night. The silk of the black widow is extremely strong, and they build messy webs to live in.
Female southern black widows have very large abdomens, and are most identifiable by the red hourglass marking on their underside. Males are much smaller, and have brown, and white coloring. When molting females of this species may have white and red markings covering them until fully becoming black.
Black widows are extremely venomous, but only the female has potent venom. Their bites may cause symptoms like sweating, nausea, body aches, and fever. Anti-venom exists if symptoms get severe, but their bites rarely cause death.
8. False Black Widow Spider
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Steatoda grossa
- Other Names: brown house spider, cupboard spider
- Adult Size: 10 to 14 mm (0.39 to 0.55 inches)
- Lifespan: 2 to 6 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The false black widow is a type of spider in the Steatoda genus, which are constantly confused for black widows. This spider is found in places like North America, Europea, Australia, and New Zealand. False black widows are sometimes found indoors, or outside in secluded areas like under logs, or in burrows.
False black widows like the other black widows have very large abdomens. Females are reddish brown, to black, and sometimes appear with a cream markings on them. Males have smaller abdomens, with cream colored legs, and white markings.
The false black widow’s bite can be medically significant to humans, and cause symptoms like nausea, blisters, muscle spasms, and pain. Latrodectus venom works on this spider’s bite, and deaths from these species are rare. This spider uses the messy webs it lives in to catch small flying insects.
9. Triangulate Cobweb Spider
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Steatoda triangulosa
- Other Names: Triangulate bud spider
- Adult Size: 3 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.23 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Triangulate cobweb spiders are very common, with their range spread across the globe in regions like Russia, New Zealand, Europe, and North America. This spider builds messy cobwebs, and are regularly found inside homes, or other structures like garages. Triangulate cobweb spiders use pheromones to sense where the most insects are, building webs in places with lots of insect traffic.
While smaller in size, the butt of the triangulate cobweb spider is large, and round. They have tan coloring, with white wavy markings on them, and a glossy appearance. Their legs are spindly, with tan bands appearing on them.
Triangulate cobwebs spiders are harmless to humans, and can be beneficial in reducing the number of pest insects in an area. When mating this spider lays around 30 eggs. Their webs are made in dark areas, and this spider regularly cleans its webs from the insects it catches.
10. Common House Spiders
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Theridiidae
- Scientific Name: Parasteatoda tepidariorum
- Other Names: American House Spider
- Adult Size: 3 to 5 mm (0.11 to 0.19 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Common house spiders are also called American house spiders, but this species has a large global range. They build messy webs, living in places like homes, garages, warehouses, attics, gardens, and other secluded places. This spider is active year round, and lays around 15 to 20 egg sacs in its lifetime. Their sacs contain hundreds of eggs, but only a few of their young survive until adulthood.
Common house spiders have large butts, with spindly legs. Their color ranges from light, to dark brown, and they are covered in a mottled pattern. This spider has bands on its legs, and their markings help them blend into their background.
Messy webs are used to catch a plethora of insects like grasshoppers, ants, flies, and even other spiders. This species makes its web in areas with lots of insects, and uses venom to paralyze prey. Not dangerous to humans, common house spiders can be beneficial in controlling pests.
11. Carolina Wolf Spider
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Lycosidae
- Scientific Name: Hogna carolinensis
- Other Names: Giant Wolf Spider
- Adult Size: 19 to 25 mm (0.7 to 0.98 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 4 years
- Average Price Range: $45
More than 2,300 wolf spider species have been identified globally, and the Carolina wolf spider is the largest. Carolina wolf spiders are native to North America, found in a variety of habitats from deserts to forests. Like a tarantula this large spider lives in burrows, mostly coming out at night.
The summer and fall is when the Carolina wolf spider is sighted most often. Females are sometimes seen carrying around their egg sacs, which contain up to 200 spiderlings. After hatching this spider like other wolf spider species carries around its young on its abdomen.
Carolina wolf spiders have tan to dark gray coloring, and are most identifiable by their large size. Their eyes glow in dark when shined with a light, because of the tapetum lucid, which helps them see in the dark. They have large eyes like a jumping spider on their face, and wolf spiders have some of the best eyesight among spiders. They use their excellent eyesight, and speed to pounce on small invertebrates like a wolf when hunting.
12. Goldenrod Crab Spider
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Thomisidae
- Scientific Name: Misumena vatia
- Other Names: Flower crab spider
- Adult Size: 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 year
- Average Price Range: n/a
Found on flowering plants like milkweed, and goldenrod, the goldenrod crab spider inhabits North America and Europe. They live in fields, meadows, and gardens, and are active in the day. This spider is spotted in the summer and fall months most.
Goldenrod crab spiders are sexually dimorphic, with males being much smaller. They have very small round abdomens, with long legs. Females have very large butts, and crab-like legs. This spider appears in white, or yellow coloring, and is able to change between the two to blend into their environment.
Goldenrod crab spiders use their coloring to camouflage from prey, and grab their meal with their strong front legs. They feed on pollinators like flies, bees, butterflies, and insects like grasshoppers.
13. Pink Crab Spider
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Family: Thomisidae
- Scientific Name: Thomisus onustus
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 2 to 10 mm (0.07 to 0.39 in.)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The pink crab spider has a large range spread across the world, in areas like Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Pink crab spiders live on plantlife, and are active in the day. Like other crab spiders they are named after their crab-like body and movements. They live on flowers, feeding on insects that get near them.
Pink crab spiders are sexually dimorphic, with females being larger than males. They are named after their pink coloring, but they sometimes appear all white. Females have large abdomens, with a boxy appearance. Their colors are vibrant, and help them blend into the flowers they live on.
14. Brown Recluse
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Sicariidae
- Scientific Name: Loxosceles reclusa
- Other Names: Violin spiders
- Adult Size: 7 mm (0.27 inches)
- Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
Brown recluse are a type of recluse spider native to the United States, and are one of the most dangerous spiders in their range. These spiders have powerful neurocritic venom that leaves lesions, and kills skin, and blood cells. Brown recluse live in secluded areas, and their range covers the southeastern United States.
This spider has tan coloring, and is identifiable by the violin marking on their cephalothorax. They have round bulbous abdomens that can get extremely larger when pregnant, or after eating. This spider only has six eyes, much like other spiders in the Sicariidae family.
Brown recluses are nocturnal, and sometimes make their way indoors. They may live in places like garages, or attics, and feed on small invertebrates. Males of this species may have much smaller abdomens, with longer legs.
15. Golden Huntsman Spider
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Sparassidae
- Scientific Name: Beregama aurea
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 17.78 mm. (1.7 in)
- Lifespan: 1.5 to 3.5 years
- Average Price Range: $15 to $35
The golden huntsman spider is one of the largest spiders in Australia, and also one of the largest huntsman spider species in the world. They are a wandering species, spending their nights looking for food. This spider is extremely large, and when measured with their leg spans can reach up to 5.9 inches.
Named after their golden appearance, they have very large abdomens that are round. A hairy species, the golden huntsman spider has a flat body, which helps it squeeze into small crevices.
A very large species, the golden huntsman is not dangerous to humans, and only has extremely mild venom. They are not aggressive to humans, and can be docile and handled. They are excellent hunters, feeding on prey like roaches, other spiders, beetles, and other insects.
16. Red Headed Mouse Spider
- Experience Level: Advanced
- Family: Actinopodiadae
- Scientific Name: Missulena occatoria
- Other Names: n/a
- Adult Size: 12 to 24 mm (0.47 to 0.94 in.)
- Lifespan: 4 to 10 years
- Average Price Range: n/a
The red-headed mouse spider is not seen often since they live in burrows. This spider is native to Australia, and males of this species are one of the most dangerous spiders in the world. Males are the ones with red heads, while females are all black, sometimes with a bluish tint. Bites from these spiders can be deadly, and males are typically seen looking for a mate.
Red-head mouse spiders have a large bulbous abdomen, with robust legs, and large fangs. They are mainly found west of the Great Divide in Australia, and are not usually aggressive. Red-headed mouse spiders live in open forests, and shrubland habitats. The dangerous males were once thought to be a separate species from females, until they were bred in captivity.
17. Trapdoor Spider
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Halonoproctidae
- Scientific Name: Ummidia spp.
- Other Names: Cork lid spider
- Adult Size: 25 to 40 mm (1 to 1.6 inches)
- Lifespan: 5 to 20 years
- Average Price Range: $30
Trapdoor spiders are found all across the United States, but are not seen often because of their secretive nature. This spider lives in tubular burrows underground that it builds, with a silk lid to keep them hidden. Not seen often, males are typically seen in the summer months looking for a mate.
Trapdoors spiders have large abdomens, with robust bodies, and a dark glossy black coloring. They have large fangs, with rakes on the end of them which are used to build their burrows.
Active at night, trapdoor spiders wait near the edge of their burrows, and use vibrations to know when prey is near. If attacked this spider holds its lid door shut.
18. Texas Brown Tarantula
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Theraphosidae
- Scientific Name: Aphonopelma hentzi
- Other Names: Arkansas Chocolate Tarantula, Missouri Tarantula
- Adult Size: 119.3 to 149 mm (4.7 to 5.9 inches)
- Lifespan: 10 to 30 year
- Average Price Range: $60
Texas brown tarantulas are one of the most common tarantulas in the United States. They are a burrowing species, and mainly live in the grasslands habitats. Texas brown tarantulas usually live in their burrow, but in the summer months males wander endlessly to find a mate.
This spider is extremely hairy, and has tan coloring. They have thick legs and butts, and are one of the largest spiders in the United States. Texas brown tarantulas feed on small passing invertebrates that get too close to their burrow.
19. Hercules Baboon Spider
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Theraphosidae
- Scientific Name: Pelinobius muticus
- Other Names: King baboon
- Adult Size: 88.9 mm (3.5 cm)
- Lifespan: 20 years
- Average Price Range: $40 to $200
The king baboon spider is one of the largest spiders in the entire world. This tarantula has a leg span that reaches over 7 inches. Their wood coloring, thick legs, and large abdomen make them a dashing spider to view. Hairs cover them, but they lack urticating hairs that can irritate skin. King baboon spiders’ larger size, and elegant color makes them a popular pet.
This spider lives in burrows, and uses vegetation to defend themselves. Hercules baboon spiders use vibrations to know when prey like roaches, and beetles are near, relying on the silk around their burrow. While they can be aggressive if provoked, this large spider is not dangerous to humans.
20. Goliath Bird Eater Tarantula
- Experience Level: Advanced
- Family: Theraphosidae
- Scientific Name: Theraphosa blondi
- Other Names: Goliath Tarantula
- Adult Size: 4.75 in. (12 cm)
- Lifespan: 3 to 25 years
- Average Price Range: $150
Found in the rain forests of northern South America, the goliath bird eater tarantula is the largest spider in the world, meaning it also has one of the largest spider butts. This species has a robust body and limbs, with tan coloring. Their leg span is able to reach up to 12 inches.
Goliath bird eaters get their name from their giant size. They do not feed on birds as often as their name suggests, but eat things like worms, amphibians, and arthropods. They live in burrows, and feed on terrestrial animals that get near them.
This spider’s bite is comparable to a wasp, but on some occasions they do not administer venom. They may bite if provoked, which can be extremely painful due to their large fangs.
FAQ
What Spiders Have Big Butts?
Some spiders like species of orbweavers, and tangle web spiders have very large butts, and spindly legs. Females of orbweavers, and tangle web spiders are much larger than males, and have a very big bulbous abdomen. Some spiders in these families include black widows, marbled orbweavers, garden spiders, furrow spiders, common house spiders, and much more that have big butts.
Does a spider’s butt correlate with its danger potential?
Spiders and their butts do not have any correlation with their danger. While some venomous spiders like the black widow have very large butts, a species abdomen has nothing to do with its danger. Spiders get larger abdomens when they feed, and if they do not eat their bodies may shrink. The sex, and species are also factors in the size of a spider’s butt.
Why are female spiders larger than males?
Spiders are egg laying animals, and while not true for all, many females of a species tend to be larger than males. Some females can even be substantially larger, like garden spiders.
Large females are favored in spiders due to the reproduction advantages they get. Males spider weight does not matter as much when breeding, and their smaller size allows them to travel silk easier to mate. They also do not have to lay, or carry eggs.
Wrapping up
Spiders come in many shapes, and sizes, and those with big butts are some of the creepiest looking. Big butts are a common trait that almost all spiders have, just like their eight legs, and ability to weave silk. With thousands of spiders living in the world, there are endless species to discover.
Spiders are typically harmless, and most bites have the same effect as that of a bee sting. There are some very venomous spiders that you should look out for, and if allergic to venomous their bites can also be dangerous. The big butts of a spider is just one of the countless traits that is interesting about them.