Hobbies And Interests
Funnel Weaver Spiders
Funnel weaver spiders, also referred to as grass spiders, have a dark brown appearance, four pairs of eyes and striped legs. These common, harmless spiders build dense mats of webbing in thick grass or in the corners of buildings and move very quickly. Funnel weaver spiders appear in homes most frequently during late summer and early fall.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders have a gray or brown appearance and generally live in soil or under rocks. These spiders present no real danger to humans, but some larger species of the family can bite. Wolf spiders do not build snaring webs and prefer to actively hunt. Female wolf spiders carry the egg sac and newly hatched young on their backs.
Araneus Spiders
Araneus spiders have a large, brownish abdomen with dimples and marks. These harmless spiders stay outdoors late into the season, proving relatively strong in slightly chilly weather. Certain species, like the "barn" or "garden" spider, make geometric webs in windows and vegetation. The largest type, the "catface" or "monkeyface" spider, ranges up to 1/4 inch in diameter.
Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders rarely appear in Colorado but occasionally make their way into the state during warmer months. They live in loose, messy webs found in dark corners. These pale brown spiders have a notable violin-shaped marking behind the head and three pairs of eyes. Brown recluse spiders have a dangerous venom and should be avoided.
Hobo Spiders
Hobo spiders have a uniformly brown appearance and have no rings on their legs. This spider prefers warm, dry climates and has a venomous bite. In most cases, the venom from a hobo spider bite causes localized pain and other illness, like headaches, nausea and fatigue, but rarely death.
Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders have a light brown appearance, very long legs and eight eyes. These harmless spiders have a patterning that vaguely resembles the violin pattern of the brown recluse. They rarely leave their webs, which they build in dark corners of basements and garages.
Wood Louse Hunters
The wood louse hunter has three pairs of eyes clustered in a small area at the center of the head. They have large jaws with long fangs, but present little threat to humans. The legs have a reddish brown color and the abdomen appears tan or light brown.
Running Crab Spiders
Running crab spiders actively hunt for prey rather than relying on webs. They have variable color, but often appear in shades of brown and occasionally have dark markings at the back of the head. These relatively harmless spiders have a rounded abdomen and two front pairs of legs that extend further than the others.