Introduction
Think you can tell a black widow from a garden orb-weaver just by silhouette and markings? This spider ID quiz puts your eye for shape, color, and web clues to the test. I made these questions to help you notice the small details that make each species unmistakable — and to surprise you with a few lookalikes.
About the Quiz
You’ll get 10 multiple-choice questions that start easy and get trickier. Each question focuses on a visual trait: body shape, leg posture, web type, or a distinctive mark. After each answer you’ll see a short explanation — little natural-history nuggets that make future IDs easier.
Instructions
- Choose the species that best matches the description or photo hint.
- Try to picture the spider or remember where you’ve seen similar markings.
- Check the explanation after each question to learn a quick ID tip.
Whether you love spiders or want to be less startled next time one appears, this quiz will sharpen your spotting skills. Ready? Let’s go.
Spider Species ID Quiz
A 10-question multiple-choice quiz to test your ability to identify common spider species by appearance and web clues.
Which species is known for a rounded, often spiny abdomen with pale spots and a circular orb web?
Garden orb-weavers have bulbous abdomens with white spots and build classic wheel-shaped orb webs in gardens and hedges.
Which spider famously has a glossy black body and a red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen?
The red hourglass on the belly is a signature of female black widows — a useful warning sign but not always visible unless the spider is flipped.
Which tiny, compact spider has large forward-facing eyes and leaps onto prey rather than using a web?
Jumping spiders have a squat body and big central eyes for excellent vision; they stalk and pounce instead of relying on webs.
Which spider is large, hairy, and often mistaken for a fearsome predator but is usually slow-moving and ground-dwelling?
Tarantulas are big and hairy but mostly non-aggressive; they hunt on the ground and use burrows for shelter.
Which spider has extremely long, thin legs and a small body, often seen in corners of basements and called a 'daddy longlegs'?
Cellar spiders (Pholcidae) have spindly legs and delicate bodies; they make loose, untidy webs in sheltered corners.
Which spider typically sits with its legs out to the sides like a crab and can change color to match flowers?
Crab spiders hold their first two pairs of legs outwards and often ambush pollinators on flowers; some species shift hues to blend in.
Which species is famous for weaving very strong, golden-hued silk and makes large orb webs often seen across trails?
Nephila spiders spin large webs with a characteristic golden sheen; their webs can be several feet across and quite tough.
Which ground-dwelling hunter has a stout body, excellent speed, and often carries its egg sac attached to its spinnerets?
Wolf spiders are active hunters with good eyesight; females commonly carry the egg sac and later the spiderlings on their back.
Which spider often builds a tidy, densely patterned orb web and may have a cross-shaped set of white dots on its back?
Araneus diadematus — the cross spider — gets its name from the cross-like pale markings on the abdomen and is common on shrubs and fences.
Which webless-looking spider often flattens its body and lives near water, able to run across water or dive to catch prey?
Fishing spiders (Dolomedes) hunt at the water’s edge; some can run on the water surface or dive to capture aquatic insects and small fish.