The Origins of 8 Spider Pokemon & the Real Spiders Behind Them

Pokemon has no Spider type, so every spider is a Bug type first. The real animal shows up as a second type: venom gave one line Poison, and a diving bell spider gave another Water. Of the two remaining lines, one adds Electric and the other stays pure Bug.

See all 8 spider Pokemon in one list.

Here's every spider Pokemon:

All 8 Spider Pokemon

#167

Spinarak

Spinarak may be based on the Jorō spider, a spider with similar coloring found throughout Japan. The face-like marking on its back has given rise to other theories, including the happy face spider from Hawaii and the Asian kidney garden spider, whose markings appear as a frowning face like most of Spinarak's official artwork. The horn on its head may come from the Ceratogyrus tarantulas, some species of which have similar horns.

The poison from its fangs isn't that strong, though it is potent enough to weaken prey that gets caught in its web. We relate more than we would like to a modest venom and a good support system. Its hidden ability, Sniper, makes its critical hits deal 3× damage instead of 2×. A hidden ability is a rarer alternative to a Pokemon's usual ones, and a critical hit is a lucky blow that deals extra damage.

#168

Ariados

Ariados seems to be based on the Myrmarachne formicaria spider, but with the front and back halves of its body reversed. Its habit of spinning string from its mouth may refer to spitting spiders, which spit venomous silk to capture prey.

Ariados spews threads from its mouth to catch its prey. When night falls, it leaves its web to go hunt aggressively. A night shift with no lunch break would have us unionized by now. It stands 1.1 m tall and weighs 33.5 kg. Its Swarm ability strengthens its Bug moves to 1.5× damage once it drops to a third of its HP or less, so a cornered Ariados hits harder. An ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle.

#595

Joltik

Joltik, the Attaching Pokemon, stands 0.1 m tall, tied with six other Pokemon for the smallest in the whole Pokedex. Its name, its look and its habit of latching onto larger Pokemon to drain their static electricity all suggest it may be based on a tick. It may also be based on a jumping spider or, like its evolved form, a tarantula.

Joltik latch on to other Pokemon and suck out static electricity, and they're often found sticking to Yamper's hindquarters. (Yamper has not been consulted, and we assume it has made its peace.) Joltik weighs only 0.6 kg. Its Compound Eyes ability raises the accuracy of its moves to 1.3×, which helps the moves that tend to miss.

#596

Galvantula

Galvantula, the EleSpider Pokemon, appears to be based on a tarantula. The electric webs it creates are similar to electric fences. It lays traps of electrified threads near the nests of bird Pokemon, aiming to snare chicks that are not yet good at flying. We are choosing to believe the chicks get away, and we ask that no one tells us otherwise.

Galvantula keeps Joltik's Compound Eyes ability.

#751

Dewpider

Dewpider may be based on the diving bell spider, a spider that lives primarily underwater and gathers air into a bubble around its abdomen to breathe. Dewpider's biology reverses this: it can only breathe in water, and it uses a water bubble to live on land. The way it holds that bubble on its head makes it resemble a diving helmet.

Dewpider normally lives underwater, and when it comes onto land in search of food, it takes water with it in the form of a bubble on its head. We have seen bolder choices at weddings than a fishbowl worn as a hat. It stands 0.3 m tall and weighs 4 kg. Its Water Bubble ability halves the damage it takes from Fire moves and doubles the damage of its Water moves, and it also prevents burns.

#752

Araquanid

Araquanid keeps the same backwards diving bell spider idea, using a bubble of water to breathe above the surface. Given its long, skinny legs, it may also take some influence from sea spiders, while its color resembles reeds. The growths on its head may come from the Hawaiian happy-face spider, the same species linked to Spinarak.

It acts as a caretaker for Dewpider, putting them inside its bubble and letting them eat any leftover food. We cannot keep a cactus alive and would never run a daycare. It stands 1.8 m tall and weighs 82 kg.

#917

Tarountula

Tarountula, the String Ball Pokemon, may be based on the orb-weaver spider alongside members of the Uloboridae family, which are non-venomous and wrap their prey in bundles of silk. Its silk-covered abdomen evokes a yarn ball and may serve as a literal take on an "orb-weaver".

The thread it secretes from its rear is as strong as wire, and the secret behind the thread's strength is the topic of ongoing research. Somewhere a lab has a grant for this, and we are a little jealous of the lab.

#918

Spidops

Spidops, the Trap Pokemon, may be based on the ogre-faced spider or related members of the Deinopidae family, also known as net-casting spiders, which hold their legs together in pairs and cast nets. It also seems to draw on special operations forces and secret agents: its eyes resemble night-vision goggles, and its chest plating resembles a bulletproof vest.

The legend behind it is the Tsuchigumo, a race of spider-like yokai in Japanese folklore said to have the face of an oni and the body of a spider, known to disguise themselves and capture travelers with strings. Spidops covers its territory in tough, sticky threads to set up traps for intruders. We put a bell on our door for less. Its hidden ability, Stakeout, doubles the power of its moves against a Pokemon that switched in that turn.

Every Spider Pokemon Line Stops After One Evolution

Spinarak, Joltik, Dewpider and Tarountula each evolve once, into Ariados, Galvantula, Araquanid and Spidops, and none of the four lines has a third stage. The evolved form gains at least 150 base stat points in all four lines, from 150 more for Ariados to 194 more for Spidops.

Spider Pokemon FAQ

How many spider Pokemon are there?

There are 8 spider Pokemon: Spinarak, Ariados, Joltik, Galvantula, Dewpider, Araquanid, Tarountula and Spidops. Only Galvantula has spider in its category, the EleSpider Pokemon.

What is the strongest spider Pokemon?

Galvantula, with a base stat total of 472, ahead of Araquanid at 454.

Is Joltik a spider?

Yes, mostly. Joltik may be based on a jumping spider or a tarantula, though its habit of latching onto larger Pokemon to drain their static electricity also suggests a tick.

Which spider Pokemon lives underwater?

Dewpider. It normally lives underwater, and when it comes onto land in search of food, it carries water in a bubble on its head.