Spider library
50 scientifically described species with remarkable body forms, abilities and ways of life. A curated journey through spider diversity, not a complete species catalogue.
Search the library ↓We select documented unusual features rather than assign ranks. Rare, little studied and rarely featured mean different things. An unusual appearance proves neither rarity nor threatened status; the portraits identify observations and limits to knowledge.
Search and filters work only in this tab. No storage or transmission. Regions provide a broad guide; the portraits explain distribution in more detail.
50 portraits in our special selection.
Thomisidae
Chosen as an ant-like crab spider beyond the better-known jumping-spider mimics.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Theridiidae
A specialist in obtaining food inside another animal’s trapping system.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Argyronetidae
Selected for the combination of silk architecture, air transport and gas exchange.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Theridiidae
Selected for extreme body proportions and a studied dietary change during development.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Deinopidae
Selected as an Australian net caster with a recently changed genus assignment.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected for its unusual use of plant food.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for the interplay between material, architecture and habitat.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Sparassidae
Selected for an escape mechanism exploiting gravity and dune geometry.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Sparassidae
Selected for extraordinary locomotion and surprising excavation techniques.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for its dropping-like disguise and hunting without a large capture surface.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Halonoproctidae
Chosen for the abruptly truncated, hardened abdominal disc.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for tested masquerade combining the body with a self-built background.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for experimentally investigated concealment using prey remains and egg sacs.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Deinopidae
Selected for the interaction of a capture net, vision and airborne sound sensing.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Desidae
Selected for an unusual habitat at the boundary between land and sea.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Dolomedidae
Selected for hunting and locomotion at a sensitive physical interface.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for its three-dimensional fit to the shape of a resting place.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Chosen as a seldom-featured Amazonian orb-weaver with a distinctive dorsal pattern.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Thomisidae
Chosen for its lobed body and an experiment on ultraviolet effects on prey.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Archaeidae
Chosen for a highly specialized body plan among spider-eating spiders.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Chosen for its extraordinary abdominal shape and the documented origin of its name.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected for its experimentally studied prey choices.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected for the connection between colour signals and specialised vision.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Sicariidae
Selected for an unusual body plan and the importance of careful identification.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Gradungulidae
Chosen for cave life, extensive sheet webs and distinctive egg sacs.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Uloboridae
An exceptional example of a web acting as an external energy store.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Chosen for the female’s exceptionally long, curved abdominal spines.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected as a surprising departure from the familiar Maratus image.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for its studied chemical deception of male moths.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Uloboridae
Selected for reduced webs and an unusually slender body plan.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Chosen for the combination of a spiny female and research on web decorations.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected for the interplay of body shape and ant mimicry.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for its distinctive shape and mobile capture silk.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Chosen as a seldom-profiled, scientifically documented example of beetle-like appearance.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Thomisidae
Chosen for experimentally studied aggressive mimicry and changes during development.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Chosen for vividly patterned females and the daily cycle of web construction.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Araneidae
Selected for variable body form and the contrast between a daytime retreat and orb building.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected for versatile hunting behaviour that differs between populations.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Theridiidae
A scientifically documented species with an extraordinary shape and sparse collection records.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Scytodidae
An unusual combination of capture material, directed movement and modified glands.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Selenopidae
Selected for a body plan enabling rapid changes of direction during prey capture.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected because conspicuous colour and imperfect mimicry interact.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Sparassidae
Chosen as a scientifically described eyeless huntsman spider.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Eresidae
Chosen for extensively studied maternal provisioning and temporary sibling groups.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Theridiosomatidae
Selected for the interplay of preloaded silk and sensing before contact.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Theridiidae
Chosen for mirror-like abdominal patches and the connection between zoology and light.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Salticidae
Selected for documented milk-like provisioning and an important taxonomic caveat.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Trechaleidae
Selected for an unusual underwater observation documented in scientific literature.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Trogloraptoridae
Chosen for extraordinary foot claws and a discovery that expanded the spider family tree.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.
Uloboridae
An often overlooked specialist in dry, finely combed capture silk.
Explore the portrait ↗Artistic illustration by Aik (AI), based on an idea by Mario (human). Not to scale; not a reference for species identification.