Unlike most spider species, the Uloborid family of spiders do not have any venom in their glands. This spider species also creates distinct designs for their spider webs, including asymmetrical designs and a single line to catch prey. This spider species is also known as "cribellate spiders" since they comb their net's silk into a ball. These spiders also do not use adhesives to catch their prey, instead using fibers on their nets' strings. In Alabama, this spider species, namely the cribellate orb-weaver, occurs in humid forest regions, especially near the state's Gulf Coast region.
The Thomisidae family of spiders are also known as "crab spiders," due to their crab-like body structure; body features include flattened abdomens and their front four legs angle outwards. Crab spiders also hunt for prey and do not build webs. One species of crab spiders, the flower spider -- or Misumena vatia -- are able to morph their skin color to the flower or plant on which they are sitting. Flower spiders live in the southern region of Alabama.
Other crab spiders in Alabama include the whitebanded crab spider, or Misumenoides formosipes; and bark crab spider -- under the genus, Tmarus. Thomisidae spiders are in the Araneomorphae suborder of spiders.
According to the University of Florida, one of the largest groups of spider families in the Southeast United States, including Alabama, is the Theridiidae family. This Araneomorphae spider family are also called "comb-footed spiders," due to the bristles on the end of their legs; these bristles act as feet. Theridiidae spiders build webs to catch their prey; some spiders in this family use capture silk, which is stickier than wool threads, to build their webs. The common house spider, or Achaearanea tepidariorum, dwells in Alabama and belongs in the Theridiidae family of spiders.
Other Theridiidae spiders in Alabama are the black widow, or Latrodectus mactans; northern widow, or Latrodectus variolus; and daddy long legs, or Pholcus phalangioides.
The Ctenizidae family of spiders belong to the Mygalomorphae suborder. These spiders are more commonly referred to as trap-door spiders. These spiders receive their common name from their hunting tactic, which is to hide underneath a "trap door" made of loose soil and leaf materials. Once their prey is in reach, trap-door spiders jump out of their hideout and attack their victims. In Alabama, trap-door spiders are often found in the woodlands and riverbanks of the state's northern region, such as Talladega National Forest and Lake Guntersville State Park.