Identification of a Gray Spider

With all the variations of spiders in existence, identifying specific species often presents a challenge, even when the overall color of the spider known. Several species may appear gray in color, but many of these may also appear brown or black, as well. Identifying a gray spider requires knowing the spider's size, location and characteristic features, like markings or leg appearance.

An adult wolf spider measures one-quarter inch to one inch in length and has a mottled gray or brown color. Most appear outdoors on the ground or in burrows. Wolf spiders have a poisonous, but non-lethal bite and rarely attack unless provoked.

Fishing spiders appear around ponds, swamps and other still or slow-moving sources of water. The hairy body averages around one inch in length, and it usually has a smattering of black, brown, white and gray markings. The fishing spider has a painful, but generally non-dangerous bite.

Crab spiders live outdoors on flowers and leaves. Their appearance mimics that of crab, with the front four legs extending out to the sides in a crab-like manner. The front legs measure longer than the back four, and the spider in general measures around 1/10- to 2/5-inch long. They appear yellow, red, brown or gray in color.

The parson spider, a specific type of gnaphosid spider, measures around 1/2-inch long and lives under stones or bark outdoors, or in cracks indoors. The spider has a brown body with a gray abdomen. A white band runs over half the abdomen.

The cobweb spider has a brown or gray color mottled with dark stripes on its upper abdomen. The female measures up to 1/3-inch long, but the male may measure as small as 1/8-inch. These spiders spin webs in dark, moist corners indoors and wood piles or stone piles outdoors.

Most grass spiders live outdoors and build large sheet webs in tall grass and low bushes. They appear brown or gray in color, except for a few light and dark stripes near the head. Aside from its large spinnerets, the non-aggressive, non-lethal grass spider appears moderately-sized at an average of 3/4-inch long.

Jumping spiders prefer the outdoors and cling to windows, screens and doors when inside. Some appear brown in color with yellow or white markings, while others have black bodies dotted with orange or red spots. The largest jumping spiders measure 1/2 inch long. These spiders move in quick, short jumps.

The wood louse hunter has a creamy gray body with a distinct red cephalothorax and red legs. These nocturnal hunters have hairless bodies and large fangs. While these typically non-aggressive spiders have painful bites, their venom causes little to no reaction.

Cellar spiders appear similar to daddy-long-legs, except for their rounded or elongated bodies, colored light gray or light brown. These small spiders measure between 1/16-inch to 1/4-inch and have very long, slender legs. They generally hang upside-down from irregular sheet webs.