Steatoda bipunctata is similar in shape to the black widow spiders in the genus Latrodectus and can thus be mistaken for them, although its bite is significantly less dangerous to humans.

For this reason, species of the genus Steatoda are commonly called 'false widows'.

The apodemes (places of muscle attachment) on the dorsal side of the abdomen look like pairs of dark dimples and presumably give the spider its Latin name bi- (two) and -punctata (spots).

The underside of the abdomen of the Rabbit Hutch Spider reveals a most interesting pattern resembling the infinity sign.

[2] Steatoda bipunctata rarely exceeds 7 mm in body length and there are no known instances of envenomation.