What kinds of spiders can you find in Egypt?

Many people are terrified of spiders and find them extremely creepy. This is unfortunate because not only are most spiders completely harmless, they benefit our environment by controlling the insect population. In fact, without spiders, our food supply would be in serious jeopardy.

Before we begin, I want you to know that the list below is just a fraction of the spiders in Egypt. Because of the sheer number of these arachnids, it would be impossible to cover them all. For example, some estimates claim over 50,000 kinds of spiders on the planet (and the list is still growing)!

In today’s article, I did my best to develop a list of spiders you’re most likely to see.

13 common SPIDERS in Egypt!

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#1. Brown Widow

• Latrodectus geometricus

Also known as the brown widow, brown button spider, grey widow, brown, black widow, home button spider, or geometric button spider.

Identifying Characteristics:

• The coloring is mottled tan and brown with black accent markings. On the sides of the abdomen, there are three diagonal stripes.
• This species has an hourglass similar to the black widow, but it’s often orange or yellow.
• The striped legs are usually dark brown or black with light yellow bands.

The Brown Widow employs a neurotoxic venom, causing pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating. However, while deadly to their prey, the bites of the Brown Widow are often much less harmful to humans than the infamous Black Widow.

Females create webs in isolated, safe locations near houses and branch-heavy woods. Brown Widows frequently choose empty containers like buckets, planters, mailboxes, and entryway corners. So, checking these places thoroughly before disturbing them is a good idea!

One of the easiest ways to identify these spiders in Egypt is to look for their egg sacs. They have pointy protrusions and are frequently referred to as “fluffy” or “spiky” in appearance.

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#2. Tropical Tent-web Spider

• Cyrtophora citricola

Identifying Characteristics:

• Females are 10 to 15 mm (0.3-0.5 in) long.
• Males are about 3mm (0.12 in).
• Color variations in females are typical – some are brown, while others have black and white markings on their abdomen. Males are usually solid black.

The Tropical Tent-web Spider makes an unusual web that resembles mesh curtains. Prey is deflected onto the orb-web by a network of threads that support the orb-web and form a tent. This species spends most of its time on its complex web. Each spider has its own space, but they often form large groups with interconnected webs.

These spiders can be hard to find in Egypt because they are nocturnal, which keeps them hidden from predators throughout the day. However, they spend most of the night capturing prey, including moths and flies.

Tropical Tent-web spiders catch prey in three distinct phases. In the initial stage, the spider bites or wraps its prey in silk to incapacitate it. Then, they remove it from the web itself and carry the prey to the hub of the web. Finally, once they reach the safety of the center of the web, they consume their meal.

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#3. Banded Garden Spider

• Argiope trifasciata

Also known as the Banded Orb Weaving Spider.

Identifying Characteristics:

• This species has an oval abdomen and bright body markings. The back of the abdomen is pale yellow with silvery hairs and lateral bands of black stripes. Males are usually paler, sometimes even white.
• Adult females are around 13 to 14.5 mm (0.51-0.57 in) long.
• Males are considerably smaller, reaching only ⅓ of the females’ length.

The Banded Garden Spider builds an enormous web, typically around 60 cm (23.6 in) in diameter. The web itself is sticky and strong, able to hold very large insects like wasps and grasshoppers. One interesting feature of their webs is the so-called “stabilimentum,” a vertical zigzag pattern made from dense silk. Researchers think this feature is a way to attract insects that the Banded Garden spider eats.

The female can usually be found resting at the center of the web, facing downwards. They face their webs east-to-west to take advantage of the rising and setting sun and hang in the center with their dark underside facing south. All this allows them to gain as much warmth as possible, enabling them to stay active later in the year.

These spiders rarely bite humans in Egypt and are not aggressive. If disturbed, they may drop from the center of their web. They may bite in defense if handled and bothered, but it’s unlikely that the bite would cause more discomfort than a bee sting.

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#4. Adanson’s House Jumper

• Hasarius adansoni

Identifying Characteristics:

• Males have more colorful bodies, with black abdomen color and two white crescents on their bodies. They grow up to 6mm (0.23 in).
• Females are dark brown and don’t have any noticeable pattern, and are about 8mm (0.31 in) long.
• Both sexes have long legs covered with spines and hairs.

The Adanson’s House Jumper lives in warm climates all over Egypt. Its natural habitats include woodland and low vegetation, but since they are highly adaptable, they can be found in any terrestrial area.

Although they can reuse their nests, they usually build new ones each night. Their webs are relatively small, about twice the size of the spider. The Adanson’s House Jumper is quite sociable and can be seen grouped in bigger numbers.

One of the most interesting traits of this species is its ability to jump incredible distances. They hunt by leaping several centimeters onto their prey, grabbing them, and injecting venom by bite.

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#5. Half-edged Wall Jumping Spider

• Menemerus semilimbatus

Identifying Characteristics:

• Yellowish or greyish with a pattern of several white V-shaped markings.

• Large, forward-facing eyes. Covered in grayish-white hairs.

• Females are about 6.5–8.4 mm (0.25-0.33 in) long, with males being slightly smaller.

These jumping spiders in Egypt usually live near humans.

Half-edged Jumping Spiders seem to benefit from the artificial environments created by backyard gardens. Look for them on flat surfaces, such as the sides of buildings or fence posts, which provide perfect areas for them to hunt prey. They are even comfortable living inside houses. 🙂

Like all jumping spiders, this species does not make webs. Instead, Half-edged Wall Jumping Spiders have excellent eyesight to locate their next meal. They also have the unique ability to jump, which they use to pounce on prey or leap from plant to plant.

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#6. Pantropical Jumping Spider

• Plexippus paykulli

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adult females range from 9 to 12 mm (0.35-0.47 in) long, while adult males range from 9 to 11 mm (0.35-0.43 in) long.
• Females are brownish gray and darker on their back and head, especially around the eyes, and have a broad tan stripe that extends onto the abdomen.
• Males are black with a broad white central stripe and two white spots near the rear of the abdomen.

Pantropical Jumping Spiders live near buildings, in citrus groves, and in cotton fields. They cleverly spend time around light sources that attract insect prey.

Unlike many spiders in Egypt, Pantropical Jumping Spiders do not construct a web. Instead, they construct silken retreats, often in the corner of a ceiling or other elevated position. They use this retreat to rest and hide between hunting.

Although they look incredibly dangerous, Pantropical Jumping Spiders will only bite if handled roughly. Their bites are relatively harmless and may resemble a bee sting or be even milder.

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#7. Middle East Black Tarantula

• Chaetopelma olivaceum

• Females grow to 5cm or larger. Males are roughly half that size.
• Coloration ranges from black, to gray, to dark brown.
• The body is covered in tiny hairs and appears velvety and shiny.

This tarantula is one of the largest spiders in Egypt.

In fact, they are so big that they sometimes eat small mice and lizards, although their primary food is insects. During the day, the best place to find a Middle East Black Tarantula is hiding under bark or a rock, as they are most active at night.

I’m sorry to break the news to you, but these huge tarantulas are commonly found inside homes. But despite their appearance, they are not considered dangerous to humans. You may even appreciate them living nearby because they help control pests like cockroaches.

Middle East Black Tarantulas are considered more aggressive than other tarantula species, and they are incredibly fast! It may hurt a bit if you are bitten, but the venom is typically mild. Some people even keep them as pets. 🙂

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#8. Camel Spiders

• Order – Solifugae

Camel Spiders, also known as Wind Scorpions, Sun Spiders, or Solifuges, are arachnids, but they are not considered true spiders or scorpions. In fact, the 1,000 or so worldwide species of Camel Spiders are grouped in a separate order – Solifugae. In Egypt, Camel Spiders are found in arid, desert habitats.

These arachnids are feared by many people and are the subjects of many urban legends. One reason for their reputation is that they are incredibly fast, with their top speed coming in at 10 mph (16 km/h). Combine their speed with their spider-like appearance, and you can see how almost anyone can be startled!

Luckily, Camel Spiders are NOT venomous, as they do not have a way to deliver venom like the fangs of a spider. But, their chelicerae (appendages at the front of the mouth) are strong and can penetrate human skin, so bites are reported to be very painful.

Camel Spiders are aggressive hunters and opportunistic eaters. In addition to many types of insects, they have been observed eating birds, rodents, snakes, and lizards. They use their powerful chelicerae to cut larger prey into pieces, which are then liquefied before being consumed.

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#9. Crab Spiders

• Thomisidae

Identifying Characteristics:

• On average, females measure 7–11 mm. Males are much smaller and range between lengths of 2–4 mm.

• Colors range widely based on the specific species. However, the most common colors are pink, yellow, white, green, or brown.

The best places to find crab spiders in Egypt are near flowers.

Crab spiders don’t use webs to catch their prey. Instead, they sit and wait inside flowers or other vegetation that is low to the ground for something to eat. Once a suitable victim comes by, they use their long forelegs to ambush it and make the kill. When insects are in short supply, such as during bad weather, they eat pollen and nectar to avoid starvation.

Lastly, many crab spiders have developed a mutualistic relationship with certain plant species since these spiders feed on and help deter harmful insects. Some plants even release an emission after being attacked that helps attract crab spiders in hopes they eat the intruder.

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#10. Lobed Argiope

• Argiope lobata

Identifying Characteristics:

• The female’s abdomen has black and white stripes and appears jagged or, as many say, “lobed.”

• Males have the same coloration but don’t have the lobes on the abdomen.

• Females are large and grow up to 25 mm long. Males are much smaller and only measure around 6 mm.

It’s hard to miss a female Lobed Argiope if you come across one. In addition to being incredibly large, they have a unique body shape and coloration that make them stand out. Look for them in bushes in warm rocky areas that are dry and sunny.

Make sure to look at the center of their web, as you should see a zigzag stabilimenta, which is a silk-shaped web decoration. Scientists aren’t exactly sure what the purpose is of having a stabilimenta, but the dominant theory is that it helps attract insects to the web by reflecting UV light. Interestingly, it is said that after E. B. White observed a stabilimenta in a spider’s web, he was inspired to write the book Charlotte’s Web.

Despite its intense appearance, the venom from a Lobed Argiope bite is NOT dangerous to humans.

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#11. Wolf Spiders

• Lycosidae

Wolf spiders are found everywhere and in almost any habitat. I know that I see them often when flipping over rocks or logs. There are many individual species of wolf spider found in Egypt, and it would be impossible to list them here, especially since most of them look very similar.

Interestingly, wolf spiders do not make webs to catch their prey. Instead, they wait for an insect to walk by and then chase it down! Some wolf spiders will make a burrow and then wait inside for dinner to walk by. Most individuals wander without a permanent home, and they always live and hunt alone.

When it comes to arachnids, these spiders have incredible eyesight. They also have retroreflective tissue in their eyes, which produces a glow if you flash a light at their faces.

Wolf Spiders will bite if provoked, but they do not always inject venom. Therefore, they are not considered dangerous to humans. Bite symptoms are minimal and may cause itching, swelling, and mild pain.

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#12. Cellar Spiders

• Pholcidae

Identifying Characteristics:

• Legs are thin, long, and fragile.

• Black and white circles wrap around the leg joints.

• The bodies of both sexes range in size from 5-7.5 mm.

The best place to find cellar spiders in Egypt is in your house!

They are commonly found living in the corners of basements and attics. You have nothing to fear, though, as even though they have venom to subdue their prey, their jaws are not strong to bite a human.

These spiders display an interesting behavior where individuals will join together and share an existing web. In addition, most spiders will migrate to many different webs over their lifetime. It’s been observed that cellar spiders living together in groups have smaller abdomens, which means they are probably eating less than if they were by themselves. But the trade-off is that they don’t have the energy costs of making their own web.

It has been very hard for researchers to figure out the lifespan of cellar spiders because of their habit of migrating to new webs!

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#13. Harvestmen

• Opiliones

Identifying Characteristics:

• Colors vary; most are dull brown or dull gray, but some may be yellowish, greenish-brown, or reddish.
• Single body region, only two eyes that do not see well.

The Harvestman might be the most recognizable spider in Egypt!

I know many people find them hiding underneath rocks or logs. They are also very social so you will many times find them in large groups.

But here’s the crazy thing: Even though Harvestmen look just like spiders, these arachnids are technically NOT spiders! They are in the Order Opiliones and have no venom, lack fangs, and do not bite.

In addition, Harvestman can actually swallow solid food, which allows them to eat small insects, fungi, dead organisms, bird dung, and other fecal matter. This differs from spiders that only eat their prey after turning them into a liquid.

Their long legs play a vital part in their life. They use their legs for breathing, walking, smelling, and capturing prey. Males have longer legs than females, which they will groom by licking with their mouthparts. Seriously, you can watch this behavior below!