This project was part of the DeCLASSIFIED! exhibition that focussed on Te Papa’s recent science discoveries. The exhibition has now finished, but this project still seems reasonably popular so I'm happy to keep it running for the time being.

The only real change is that we will no longer be selecting spider images for display in DeCLASSIFIED! Thank you to everyone who allowed their wonderful photos to be displayed. Everyone is still welcome to upload spider images to this project and I (or one of several other knowledgeable people) will try and identify it.

There are thought to be over 2000 species of spiders unique to New Zealand, but only about half of them have officially been named and described by experts. While some species are very common and widespread throughout the country, many species are only known from one or two specimens. Indeed, the majority of our spiders have never been photographed and the only images for many species are of features that can only be seen under a microscope. This is where you come in.

Perhaps you’ll find a spider that has not been photographed before. You might find a new invader. Maybe you’ll locate a new population of a rarely seen native species. Possibly, you might even find a species completely new to science! You won’t know until you look…

Why not try identifying your own spider observations? Check out our online guide to some common (and some not so common) spiders found in New Zealand: What spider is that? http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/ResearchAtTePapa/Enquiries/SpidersWeb/What/Pages/overview.aspx

 
Photographing spiders for identification.

Photography of live spiders in the field isn’t always easy, but if you are able to take photos at a variety of viewing angles, it may increases the chances of getting an identification. A shot looking down on the spider from above can be particularly useful as it might be possible to tell something about it from the shape, the colour pattern or from the eye arrangement. If the spider has a particularly prominent feature, try and photograph it.

We have a lot to learn about spiders, including what many species look like in the wild. This means that an identification to species is not always possible from photographs, so you may want to consider sending your spider in for a more thorough examination. If so, please contact Te Papa's enquiry centre (http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/onlineforms/enquiryform.aspx) who will put you in touch with someone who can help you arrange this. less ↑