Hobbies And Interests

How to Identify a Spider Found in the Louisiana Woods

Louisiana's bottomland and upland forests harbor a number of spider species, most of which are invisible to the average hiker: They are small, secretive and quick. But a sharp-eyed observer who carefully studies the forest floor and the insides of bushes and deadfall might see these eight-legged invertebrates, so essential as insect predators in their micro-ecosystems. From the tiny but venom-packed black widow spider to burly tarantulas, the Bayou State's arachnid roster is impressive and fascinating.

Things You'll Need

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Instructions

    • 1

      Key in to the large size and active, roving habits of the Carolina wolf spider, a common predator of the forest floor in Louisiana. These drab, brownish gray creatures can span three or four inches; they are the largest of the continent's wolf spiders. A dogged pursuit hunter like its namesake, the wolf spider is also a devoted parent: You might spot a female toting a whole gaggle of spiderlings on her back. The wolf spider's eight prominent eyes will reflect a flashlight's glare at night.

    • 2

      Look along the edges of sloughs, creeks and other waterways for a gray, long-legged spider that roughly resembles a small wolf spider. This might be the dark fishing spider, so named for its habit of occasionally snatching aquatic prey. It can be distinguished from the wolf spider by its smaller size and coloration pattern. The fishing spider is typically more distinctly banded, and the wolf spider has sparser blotches.

    • 3

      Identify the unmistakable Arkansas chocolate tarantula, which might be encountered in northern Louisiana woods, by its enormity and hairiness. These burly spiders, often tan and black, appear formidable but they aren't dangerous to humans; their venom is not particularly potent, and they are timid.

    • 4

      Distinguish jumping spiders by their diminutive size; their close-bundled, almost crablike appearance; and their striking locomotion. Jumping spiders are the most diverse of their kind, defined by flashy color patterns and a seemingly inquisitive nature. They capture prey with a stealthy approach and sudden leap. They are frequently seen darting along the surfaces of leaves or twigs, or scrabbling among forest litter and stones.

    • 5

      Steer clear of tiny glossy spiders with hourglass patterns on their abdomens. These could be either female black or brown widow spiders, which favor dark crevices; they are probably more frequently encountered in basements, outbuildings and woodpiles than in forests. Though shy and small-fanged, they have powerful, potentially lethal venom that can result in severe pain, and in rare cases hospitalization.

    • 6

      Watch for a pale brown spider roughly an inch in length to identify the infamous brown recluse, another potentially dangerous arachnid of Louisiana. Unlike the larger, more robust wolf and fishing spiders, the brown recluse is a web builder and an inhabitant of quiet, secluded places, much like the widow spiders. Although these are often associated with human structures (like black and brown widows), you could potentially find a brown recluse in holes, leaf litter and logs in the Louisiana woods.


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