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Rare Spiders in Montana

Montana hosts many spider species throughout the state, from the daddy long leg to the common wolf spider. Some of the rarest spiders found in Montana are not endemic to the state at all. Rather, these spiders sometimes hitch rides with imported fruits, vegetables and other items brought into the state. These spiders may survive and even thrive in Montana's environment depending on circumstances. Other rare species are native to the state but occur in small numbers, or diligently avoid areas with humans.

Hobo Spider
- The hobo spider, also known as the aggressive house spider, is a rare spider that lives in Montana and the surrounding mountain states. The hobo spider creates a funnel-shaped web, waiting at one end for insects that accidentally become entangled in the funnel. This spider is endemic to Europe and was introduced to the United States through the coastal Pacific Northwest, where it slowly spread to the Montana area. Hobo spiders will bite humans who come into contact with them, although they generally stay away from humans. Their bites may be venomous enough to require a hospital visit.
Black Widow
- The black widow spider is another poisonous spider that can occasionally make its way into Montana. The black widow predominantly lives in the South and the Midwest areas of the country. The female black widow is extremely venomous and has a black body with a distinctive red blotch on the body. The black widow catches prey by spinning webs and allows insects to become trapped in the sticky threads.
Brown Recluse
- The brown recluse is a venomous spider that primarily lives in areas of the Midwest and southern states. This shy spider earns its name due to its habits of hiding in cracks and other hard-to-see areas. The brown recluse is a hunting spider, which means it actively searches for prey rather than trapping it in a web. Brown recluse bites have killed people in the past, although the bites themselves are rare and modern medicine is typically able to save a victim's life if she receives treatment in enough time.
White-Spotted Jumping Spider
- The white-spotted jumping spider lives in many states across the Midwest. The white-spotted jumping spider belongs to the jumping spider family, which is one of the largest families of spider species. These spiders actively hunt for prey. They can jump several times their body length and anchor themselves to the ground with spider silk to act as a safety harness in case they miss their jump. This spider prefers streams and wooded areas and poses no threat to humans, hunting only small insects.

Animals & Science