Noble False Widow

Steatoda nobilis

A spider from the Canary Islands and Madeira that has spread widely, and is often mistaken for a dangerous black widow.

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About the Noble False Widow

Noble false widows come from the Canary Islands and Madeira. They have spread to England, Ireland and other places with mild climates, and they were first found in California, in Ventura County, in 2011. They live outdoors in towns and on buildings and are active at night.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Steatoda nobilis^[1]
Diet: Carnivore.^[1]
Habitat: Outdoors in towns and on buildings.^[1]
Where it lives: Native to the Canary Islands and Madeira; introduced to Europe, California and elsewhere.^[1]
Group life: Nocturnal.^[1]
Conservation status: Not evaluated by the IUCN.^[1]

Fun facts

Noble false widows were first found in California in 2011.^[1]
They're one of the world's most invasive spiders.^[1]

Vocabulary

invasive species: A living thing brought to a new place where it spreads and can cause harm.
arachnid: An animal with eight legs and two body parts, such as a spider or scorpion.
venomous: Able to inject poison by biting or stinging.
introduced: Brought by people to a place where it didn't live before.
nocturnal: Active mainly at night.

See it in person

Oakland ZooOakland, California · House of BugsSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Oakland Zoo. “Noble False Widow.” https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/noble-false-widow/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
[2] Natural History Museum, London. “How dangerous are false widow spiders?.” https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-dangerous-are-false-widow-spiders.html (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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