Alaska does have spiders. You may see more of them than you expect, even in cold weather.
Most of the spiders you encounter are small and shy. They do not pose a serious threat to you.
Most of the common spiders in Alaska are harmless house visitors, web builders, or ground hunters that stay out of your way.
Alaska has more than 600 recorded spider species, according to Wildlife Informer. Cold winters do not wipe them out because spiders are cold-blooded, and many survive by slowing their development during the harshest months.
What Lives In Alaska And What Does Not
Spiders thrive in Alaska’s climate by hiding under bark, leaf litter, stones, or inside buildings. The false widow in the Steatoda borealis group of the family Theridiidae is not a major problem in Alaska and does not usually live outdoors.
Why Spiders Survive Alaska’s Cold
Spiders handle cold better than many insects. They pause growth, hide in protected spots, and wait for warmer days.
Native Residents Versus Rare Hitchhikers
Most spiders you notice are established species that live there year-round. A few outside species may arrive as hitchhikers in boxes, plants, or vehicles, but they rarely become common.
Whether Any Species Are Medically Significant
You do not need to worry much about medically significant spiders in Alaska. Most species are not dangerous to you, and even the larger ones are usually more startling than harmful.
Spiders You Are Most Likely To See Around Homes
You are most likely to notice small spiders around homes, hiding in corners, basements, and window frames. Many catch insects and stay out of the main living space.
Cellar Spiders In Basements And Corners
cellar spiders are easy to spot by their long legs and tiny bodies. The long-bodied cellar spider often hangs in basements, closets, and dark corners.
Cobweb And Cupboard Spiders Indoors
You may also see the northern cupboard spider and other web-building spiders in quiet indoor spots. These spiders often belong to the general cobweb spider group, including common house spiders and related species.
Quick Hunters That Wander Inside
Some spiders do not build webs and may wander in by accident. Jumping spiders, including the bold jumping spider, daring jumping spider, and bold jumper, along with the hacklemesh weaver, Callobius pictus, running crab spider, and Philodromus spiders, may show up indoors while hunting or exploring.
Outdoor Spiders In Yards, Gardens, And Wild Areas
You are more likely to find spiders in webs, grass, shrubs, and near water when you go outside. Many of these species help control flies, moths, and other small pests.
Orb Weavers And Other Garden Web Builders
Orb weavers are some of the most visible spiders in Alaska’s green spaces. You may notice garden spiders, the european garden spider, Araneus diadematus, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, corn spider, zigzag spider, cat-faced spider, jewel spider, shamrock orb weaver, furrow spider, foliate spider, candy-striped spider, common candy-striped spider, fierce orb weaver, and Araneus saevus making round webs between plants.
Fast-Moving Ground And Grass Species
If you walk through tall grass, you may see american grass spider or american grass spiders from the Agelenopsis group. These spiders move quickly and often stay low to the ground, where their funnel webs blend into the vegetation.
Larger Spiders Near Water And Open Ground
Some of the largest spiders in Alaska live near streams, ponds, and open ground.
These spiders look dramatic, but they usually avoid you. They spend their time hunting insects where prey is common.
