Hobbies And Interests
Identifying the Brown Recluse Spider
The brown recluse spider is usually a light brown color but can also be a darker brown. It has a dark, violin-shaped marking on its cephalothorax. This is the front part of the spider, comprised of the head and thorax combined, and is the part to which the legs are attached. Most spiders have eight eyes but the brown recluse spider has only six, arranged in three pairs.
Habitat
The spider is found mainly in the central Midwestern states southward to the Gulf of Mexico, according to Ohio State University. They can sometimes be found elsewhere as they sometimes hide in packing crates and other transportable items. If they enter a house, they will often hide in dark areas, such as cracks in the wall and inside or underneath furniture.
Behavior
The spider spins a loose, irregular web, which it uses as a daytime retreat. Recent research suggests it is mostly a scavenger, preferring to eat dead insects, according to Ohio State University. It is largely nocturnal, meaning it is more active at night. When it is dark the adult spider will leave its hiding place to search for food.
Brown Recluse Spider Bites
The spider is shy and will try to avoid people but it may bite if caught between your skin and another surface. This could happen if you put your hand in a crack or behind furniture where the spider is hiding, or if it gets into clothing or shoes overnight. The bite will sometimes fail to inject any venom, but if it does it can be very dangerous. It may cause a white blister surrounded by a swollen area that will harden and become red. If you are bitten seek medical attention immediately.