The brown recluse spider, also known as a sand recluse or western black recluse, is a large and powerful spider. They can reach up to 4 inches long!
They are typically red-orange in color, with white markings. These spiders are usually solitary, though some individuals may adopt a communal web.
They have six legs, two of which are larger than the others. The two larger legs are used for walking and the others are used for grabbing and holding. Their second leg is smaller and solely used for reproduction.
These spiders do not use their chelicerae to attack their prey! Instead, they use their leg length to constrict their prey into a position that is hard to escape from.
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Dark brown color
A brown recluser spider has a dark brown body, with light brown or lighter areas on the legs and feet. They also have darker markings on their abdomens.
These spiders are usually found in dry places, such as under rocks or in crevices. They can be very stealthy, with only their head and mail-sized fangs exposed.
They hunt by sensing vibrations in the soil. When a vibration is detected, the spider quickly climbs up a support structure to find its next meal.
Their venom is potentially life-threatening if it gets into the bloodstream, though it rarely does because it is so stealthy.
Bullet point: Longevity of an egg case
Brown recluse spiders are typically found in dry places like under stones or in crevices where they can be totally hidden.
Mark on their back
The mark that a brown recluse spider makes is called a “mark”. This feature makes it easier for predators to locate the spider.
The mark also gives predators and prey a more easy way to identify the spiders. Because of the mark, yellow wasps and hornets can tell if a spider is large or small.
Similarly, because of the mark, bibliography books can tell if they are black or white.
Harmless to humans
While most spiders are harmless to us, some are harmful. An average brown recluse spider can inflict a painful and prolonged bite.
Only when threatened or if the spider is overstretched can he or she deliver a bite. He or she does not like being pinned down either, so when that’s not an option, he goes for something else.
Bites from brown recluse spiders are almost always painless, and sometimes even funny. They can be diagnosed by the fact that they do not generate any redness or swelling around the area being bitten.
They are also intermittent bites, meaning one will suffer a sting, with the next being painless. This suggests that the spider may have a habit of going after different areas of the body at different times.
Given their intermittent nature, it is important to know when to seek medical help.
Killers of spiders
Brown recluses are killers. They’re also one of the most beautiful spiders in the world. This spider is named after its brown body and distinctive ring-shaped pattern on its abdomen.
It is called a recluse because it has a very rare system for detecting bacteria in its blood. Because of this, it is only treated by a professional doctor after a serious infection has been detected.
Because they are so rare, it is difficult to find a good home for these spiders. So, if you see a brown recluse at your home, you can take him or her away! You can try placing them in an empty spray bottle with some water or vervain flower water to reduce stress before taking them outside to wash up if they have an accident.
Just make sure they are kept alone to prevent other spiders killing them.
No web making
What makes a brown recluse spider unique? The answer is: no web making!
In fact, most spiders that are brown recluse spiders do not make a single thread to trap their prey or wander around on. Instead, they literally walk along the top of their webs!
This makes it difficult to know when one has seen one web location and arrived at a different location. It also adds another element to hissation to his webs as they move. These sounds are beautiful!
The process of walking along a web and landing on another site is called walking on a hostile surface. This can happen while the spider is hunting or when it walks through an opening!
When walking on a silk-clad surface, spiders have two feet with two sets of legs. When they land, they spread and retract the front legs in unison to walk onto another solid surface.
Tiny eyes
Unlike most spiders, the brown recluse has tiny eyes. These are able to move only in a straight line, so when approaching food or a mate, the spider must rely on sight.
This makes them slightly unique in that they do not have a visual warning system such as an eye spot or retina. This is what allows them to see in low light conditions like dust!
Because of this, they must rely on their excellent eyesight to find their way around their home. If a mate does not visit, the female stays at home for weeks without mating!
Since there is no sex determination in spiders, males and females can look exactly the same except for smaller eyes. This is an inheritance issue, since some females have small eyes even though they do not mate.
Very distinctive marking on the cephalothorax consisting of a dark X shape
The reclusor spider is known for its distinctive cephalothorax, which is a top-shaped area on the spider’s head.
Relatively small fangs that are capable of biting humans, though they rarely do so
Relatively small fangs that are capable of biting humans, though they rarely do so. Brown Recluse Spiders are typically between 4 to 6 inches in length with the fangs being visible.
They usually come out at night to hunt their prey and will go away during the day to obtain their meal. Their lunch includes things like rats, mice, and other small vertebrates!
Their homes look similar to a burrow with some features being visible and a roof. They typically stay in these types of shelters for safety reasons.
They will change locations every few months to a year to find a better shelter or location.