Photo clue
Identify spider by picture in Australia
Use a spider photo as one clue, then combine it with location, size, colour, web type and where you found the spider. The more clues you add, the better the suggestions become.
Keep a safe distance
Do not touch, trap or move the spider. Zoom in if you can, and stop if getting the photo would bring you too close.
Show the whole spider
Body shape, leg position, colour and markings are more useful than a tight crop of one body part.
Include context
Photo clues improve when you also note the suburb or state, room or outdoor setting, web type, and approximate size.
Best photo clues for Australian spiders
Useful photos show the whole spider, the top of the body, any red, white, yellow or patterned markings, whether the spider is flat or chunky, and whether it is in a web, burrow, clothing, garden, shed or wall corner.
Use size without touching the spider
If safe, photograph a familiar object nearby rather than placing it next to the spider. A pin head, 20c coin, 50c coin, or hand-span estimate can help separate tiny jumping spiders from large huntsman-style spiders.
Why a picture is not always enough
Many Australian spiders look similar in poor light. Brown house spiders, young redbacks, black house spiders, trapdoor spiders and funnel-web lookalikes can overlap in photos. Location, web and behaviour often matter as much as colour.
When safety comes first
If someone has been bitten, feels unwell, or a funnel-web or mouse spider is possible, do not wait for a better photo. Call 000 for severe symptoms or suspected funnel-web or mouse spider bite. Call 13 11 26 for poisons advice.
Photo identification questions
Identify spider by picture FAQ
Can I identify a spider by picture online?
A picture can narrow the possibilities, but it is strongest when paired with location, size, web type and where the spider was found. A photo alone is not a confirmed species identification.
What should a spider photo show?
Try to show the whole spider, body shape, legs, colour, markings, web or hiding place, and a safe size reference such as a coin nearby. Do not touch or move the spider for a photo.
Can a blurry spider picture still help?
Sometimes. A blurry photo may still show size, colour, leg shape or web type, but the identifier will be more useful if you also answer the location and behaviour questions.
What if the spider may be dangerous?
If a bite has occurred or a funnel-web or mouse spider is possible, prioritise safety. Call 000 for severe symptoms or suspected funnel-web or mouse spider bite, and call 13 11 26 for poisons advice.
What is the best angle for a spider identification photo?
A top-down photo of the whole spider is usually best, with enough light to show markings and body shape. A second photo showing the web, wall, bark, burrow or hiding place can be just as useful.
Can I identify a brown spider from a photo?
A brown spider photo can help, but many Australian spiders are brown or grey. Also note size, leg spread, whether it was running on the ground, sitting in a web, hiding in a cupboard, or near a burrow.
Should I include a coin or hand for size?
Only include a size reference if it is already nearby and safe. Do not place your hand or a coin close to a spider. An estimate such as pin head, pea, 5c coin, 20c coin, 50c coin or hand-sized is enough for the identifier.