
Invertebrate
Black Widow
Venomous cobweb spider with a red hourglass
Trusted wildlife guides
Friday, 25 September 2026Animals
All AnimalsAnimals A–ZCollectionsSharksBig CatsBearsSnakesFrogs and ToadsTurtles and TortoisesWhales and DolphinsPrimatesLearn biologyEducator packsHabitats & biomesRegionsBrowse by Class, Diet & HabitatIdentify WildlifeCollective NounsBaby AnimalsAnimal of the DayAraneae is a taxonomic order in the class Arachnida. Global Animal Guide profiles 6 of its members: Black Widow, Tarantula, Brown Recluse Spider and 3 more. The table compares them using the figures on each profile.
| Animal | Weight | Length | Top speed | Lifespan | Native to | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Widow Latrodectus mactans | 1 g | 4 cm | 1 km/h | 3 yrs | North America | Least Concern |
| Tarantula Theraphosidae | 85 g | 13 cm | 2 km/h | 20 yrs | North America, South America, Africa, Asia | Least Concern |
| Brown Recluse Spider Loxosceles reclusa | 1 g | 2 cm | 1 km/h | 3 yrs | North America | Not Evaluated |
| Giant House Spider Eratigena atrica | 1 g | 9 cm | 2 km/h | 3 yrs | Europe | Least Concern |
| Black Widow Spider Latrodectus mactans | 1 g | 4 cm | 2 km/h | 3 yrs | North America | Least Concern |
| Jumping Spider Salticidae | 1 g | 2 cm | 2 km/h | 1 yrs | Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania | Least Concern |
Figures are typical adult maxima from each profile; follow a profile for ranges, sources and context.

Invertebrate
Venomous cobweb spider with a red hourglass

Invertebrate
The large, hairy spider with a gentle reputation

Invertebrate
The violin-marked spider of the American South

Invertebrate
Britain's large but harmless funnel-weaving house spider

Invertebrate
The glossy black spider with the red hourglass

Invertebrate
The big-eyed spider that pounces on its prey