Hobbies And Interests
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are among the most common garden spiders in the U.S. and come in a variety of colors, ranging from solid black to yellow and red. Several wolf spiders in Ohio are black and hairy with white spots. They are large and build impressive and complex webs. Though a bite from these spiders can be painful, they are neither aggressive nor venomous. They kill and eat other spiders and prevent insect pests.
Jumping Spiders
These spiders are very hairy and can be recognized by their short legs. They can jump extraordinarily high, but they are not dangerous to people. Many varieties of jumping spiders have spotted scales ranging in color from white to bright orange. These spiders like sunlight and are most likely to be seen in gardens and near windows.
Nursery Web Spiders
These spiders are named for their egg-laying habits. They build webs solely to protect their egg sacs. They are normally spotted and are brown, black or tan. Nursery web spiders frequently take up residence near lakes and ponds and can walk across water. They may also be seen in damp areas of homes such as basements and showers. These spiders eat insects and small fish, but their bites do not harm humans.
Crab Spiders
Crab spiders are named for their strange crablike appearance, and people may not even realize they are spiders. Spiny-bellied orb-weavers are crab spiders that live in woodlands. They are black with white dots or bands and hairy legs. They have hornlike structures along their abdomens. Though they can look quite intimidating and are often mistaken for poisonous spiders, these arachnids are harmless to humans.