Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2157233
Rabbit Hutch Spider
Steatoda bipunctataAlso known as Two-Spotted False Widow, Rabbit Hutch False Widow
Rabbit hutch spiders spin irregular tangle webs in dark crevices of barns, sheds, and animal enclosures, anchoring sticky gumfooted threads to catch wandering ground prey. Their rounded, coffee-brown abdomens show a distinctive glossy sheen marked with two pairs of shallow dimples. Courting males use specialized abdominal ridges against the rear of the carapace to generate quiet stridulatory vibrations that soothe females before mating.
NocturnalWeb WeaverPredatory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Woodlice
- Flies
- Beetles
Predators
- Spitting spiders
- Centipedes
- Insectivorous birds
ThreatsRoutine cleaning of outbuildings, excessive pesticide use, and severe prolonged freezing
HabitatsOutbuildings, barns, sheds, tree hollows, and sheltered stone walls
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTheridiidae
- SpeciesSteatoda bipunctata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Flashlight Spotting: Check dark corners of sheds and animal pens after sunset when adults emerge onto the web.
- Web Identification: Look for messy, tangled scaffolds with taut vertical strands attached to the floor.
- Gentle Relocation: Trap wandering individuals with a clear cup and card to move them outside safely.
Frequent Companion (c) RAP, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by RAP · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Dustin Edmundson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dustin Edmundson · cc-by
Close Relative (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker · cc-by
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