Newly hatched spiders, known as spiderlings, are not typically bright red. This article clarifies what spiderlings generally look like, explores why the idea of red baby spiders persists, and identifies true red spider species.
The True Colors of Spiderlings
Spiderlings emerge from their egg sacs with diverse colors and patterns, often mirroring their adult counterparts. They may appear paler or more translucent initially, but this temporary paleness resolves within a few days as their exoskeletons harden and darken.
Many spiderlings possess shades of black, gray, tan, or brown. Wolf spiderlings, for instance, commonly exhibit earthy tones with distinct dark stripes. Garden spiderlings can be bright yellow with a black spot on their abdomen, later changing to orange or rufous brown as they mature. Tarantula spiderlings might start with duller colors, developing more vibrant adult coloration after several molts.
Why the “Red Baby Spider” Idea Persists
The widespread belief that baby spiders are red often stems from misidentifying other tiny red-bodied arachnids. Small, brightly colored mites, such as clover mites and red spider mites, are frequently mistaken for spiderlings. These mites are arachnids, like spiders, but possess distinct body structures, typically an oval body without the clear segmentation seen in spiders.
Clover mites are very small and can appear in large numbers, particularly around windows. They have eight legs, with their front pair notably long, sometimes leading to confusion with antennae. When crushed, these mites leave a red stain from their body pigment, further contributing to the “red” perception. This common encounter with red mites, combined with genuinely red-marked spider species, fuels the ongoing misconception.
Spiders That Are Actually Red
While most spiderlings are not red, several spider species exhibit red coloration, either as juveniles or adults. The Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) from Australia is a notable example. Female Redback spiders are typically black with a distinct orange to red longitudinal stripe on their upper abdomen and an hourglass-shaped red or orange spot on their underside. Juveniles may also display additional white markings.
Similarly, various Black Widow spider species (Latrodectus spp.) are known for their red markings. Adult female black widows are usually shiny black with a characteristic red hourglass marking on their abdomen’s underside. Juvenile black widows often appear orange, brown, and white, gradually acquiring black coloration with subsequent molts. Some northern black widow species can even retain red spots or stripes on their backs into adulthood.
Beyond widow spiders, the Red-backed Jumping Spider (Phidippus johnsoni) is another example with prominent red coloring. Adults have a black cephalothorax and a vibrant red abdomen, with females often featuring an additional black central stripe. The Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona domiciliorum) can also display red, particularly on the first segment of its legs, complementing its banded black and pale gray segments. These spiders demonstrate that while red baby spiders are uncommon, red can be a genuine color for certain spider species at various life stages.