Rabbit Hutch Spider: How to Identify.

The Rabbit hutch spider (Steatoda bipunctata) is a cob-web spider belonging to the family Theridiidae. Venom is often used by spiders to stun their prey; however, this species happens to be one of the smaller Steatodas, so its bite will not penetrate human skin.

The Rabbit Hutch Spiders are aptly named as they nest in outdoor and sheltered places, such as rabbit hutches. You can commonly find them around gardens, sheds, garages, and homes.

Rabbit hutch spider: Identification.

As their name implies, Rabbit hutch spiders are pretty diminutive in size; females do not exceed 0.2 inches! Their abdomens boast a glossy brown hue, and the males sometimes have distinguishing white stripes running longitudinally down the middle. Meanwhile, female rabbit hutch spiders show no such markings on their abdomen – thus making them easy to distinguish from male specimens.

The web spun by Rabbit hutch spiders is a sight to behold. Adorned in the corner of your room, their non-sticky yet robust construction captivates everyone who looks at them. Their intricate structures often include tubes built from web fibers that shelter these little creatures. The webs may resemble those made by common household spiders, and many find such artistry lovely and mesmerizing.

The Rabbit Hutch Spider, also known as False Widow, carries similarities with the Black Widow in size and shape. However, one distinguishing factor is that this species does not have a red hourglass marking on its abdomen – an unmistakable sign for the Widow spider.

Rabbit hutch spider: Extra details.

Exhibiting a striking brownish color, both male and female Rabbit Hutch Spiders boast bulging abdomens with an unmistakable pale line running down the center and another across its anterior end. In addition, the apodemes — where muscles attach to the spinal cord — protrude similarly on each side of their abdomen in pairs of dark dimples; hence why they were granted their Latin name bi- (two) and -punctate (spots). A further remarkable pattern can be seen upon closer inspection of the underside, which forms an infinity symbol. Conversely, females are usually lighter in color than males and may appear.

Are rabbit hutch spiders dangerous?

Measuring no more than .27 inches in body length, the rabbit hutch spider is so tiny that it’s highly improbable its fangs can penetrate human skin. Furthermore, there have been no reported cases of envenomation caused by this species.