Brown recluse spiders, known for their distinctive violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax, have a reputation for being dangerous to humans due to their venomous bites.
These spiders are typically tan to dark brown, almost an inch in size, and have an unusual feature of six eyes instead of the common eight found in most spiders.
As for their behavior, many people often wonder: do Brown Recluse spiders jump?
Brown recluse spiders do not have the ability to jump, unlike typical jumping spiders.
While spiders in general have different jumping capabilities, understanding their behavior can help in averting any unnecessary panic or mishandling of these creatures.
Identifying Brown Recluse Spiders
Physical Characteristics
Brown Recluse spiders, also known as Loxosceles reclusa, violin spiders, or fiddleback spiders, have distinctive features.
They exhibit a dark brown violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax. The spiders are usually a dull grayish brown or yellowish brown in color.
A key characteristic is their unique eye pattern: Six eyes arranged in three pairs. Most spiders have eight eyes in two rows of four.
Habitat and Range
The Brown Recluse spiders inhabit the south, west, and midwest areas of the United States. Their preferred habitats include:
- Dark areas like under rocks
- In the bark of dead trees
- Attics and basements
- Cupboards and drawers
- Boxes and bedsheets
To summarize, here are some key points to remember about these spiders:
- Dark brown violin-shaped marking on cephalothorax
- Six eyes arranged in three pairs
- Found primarily in south, west, and midwest US
- Prefers dark, sheltered habitats
- Known as Loxosceles reclusa, violin spider, or fiddleback spider
Understanding Brown Recluse Behavior
Do Brown Recluse Spiders Jump?
Brown recluse spiders primarily feed on small arthropods like silverfish and crickets.
They do not actively hunt like jumping spiders, instead relying on their excellent camouflage to ambush their prey.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The reproduction and life cycle of brown recluse spiders involves various stages:
- Mating: Males approach females and engage in a complex courtship dance.
- Egg sacs: Female spiders produce egg sacs that contain multiple eggs.
- Spiderlings: Upon hatching, young spiders are called spiderlings and are relatively independent.
- Adult spiders
Brown recluse spiders usually have a lifespan of up to two years.
Brown Recluse Spider Bites
Symptoms
Brown recluse spiders are known for their venomous bites, which can lead to significant necrosis.
When bitten, the actual spider bite often goes unnoticed for as long as 4 to 6 hours. Symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite include:
- Pain and itching
- Reddish or purple skin discoloration
- A small, white blister at the bite site
Possibly Brown Recluse
In severe cases, the bite can cause systemic symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
Treatment
Immediate medical attention is crucial for effectively treating a brown recluse spider bite. Here are a few steps to take:
- Clean the bite site: Gently wash the area with soap and water.
- Ice and elevate: Apply a cold pack and elevate the limb to reduce swelling.
- Seek professional care: Consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Getting prompt treatment can prevent complications and minimize tissue damage.
While home remedies and over-the-counter medications can alleviate pain and itchiness, professional medical care is essential for proper treatment and recovery.
Comparing Other Recluse Spider Species
Black Widow
The Black Widow is another spider species often compared with the brown recluse. Key differences between them are:
- Black Widow spiders have a shiny black body with a distinctive red hourglass shape on their abdomen.
- They belong to the Theridiidae family, unlike brown recluses, which are part of the Sicariidae family.
- Black Widow spiders are venomous but rarely jump.
Chilean Recluse
The Chilean Recluse is considered one of the most dangerous spiders due to its potent venom. Comparing it to the brown recluse, we can see that:
- Chilean Recluse spiders are larger, with a body length of up to 1.6 inches.
- They have a violin-shaped marking similar to the brown recluse, but it is less distinct.
- The venom of Chilean Recluses can cause more severe symptoms than that of the brown recluse.
Chilean Recluse Spider. Source: Ssiltane, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Desert Recluse
Finally, the Desert Recluse is another species of recluse spiders native to the southwestern United States. Differences from the brown recluse include:
- They have a paler brown color and are slightly smaller in size.
- Desert Recluses are usually found in arid environments, while brown recluses prefer indoor, dark spaces.
Desert Recluse Spider. Source: DesertTrip, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
| Spider Species | Size (Body Length) | Color | Markings | Native Region | Venom Potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Recluse | Up to 0.7 inches | Tan to dark brown | Violin-shaped | Central and Eastern United States | Moderate |
| Black Widow | 0.5 inches (male) / 0.9 inches (female) | Shiny black | Red hourglass | North America, Australia, South Africa | High |
| Chilean Recluse | Up to 1.6 inches | Brown | Less distinct violin | South America | High (more potent) |
| Desert Recluse | Slightly smaller than Brown Recluse | Pale brown | None | Southwestern United States | Moderate |
In summary, the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Chilean Recluse, and Desert Recluse are all venomous spiders that differ in their size, color, markings, and native regions.
Distinguishing Brown Recluse from Other Spider Types
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders are quite different from brown recluse spiders in a few key ways:
- Vision: Jumping spiders have excellent vision, with eight eyes arranged for a wide field of view, while brown recluse spiders have only six eyes in a unique pattern.
- Hunting: Jumping spiders are known as active hunters and use their remarkable jumping ability to catch their prey, whereas brown recluses are passive hunters that use their webs to capture prey.
Examples of jumping spiders include the bold jumping spider and the zebra spider.
House Spiders
House spiders, like the common house spider and the American house spider, share some similarities with brown recluse spiders but also have differences:
- Web: House spiders build webs in various areas of a home, while brown recluse spiders create irregular, loosely organized webs in dark, secluded locations.
- Vision: House spiders typically have eight eyes, unlike the six eyes found in brown recluse spiders.
Here’s a comparison table of some key features:
| Feature | Brown Recluse | Jumping Spider | House Spider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyes | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Web | Irregular | None | Regular |
| Hunting | Passive | Active | Passive |
So, when distinguishing brown recluse spiders from jumping spiders and house spiders, pay attention to eye arrangement, web structure, and hunting behavior.
Conclusion
The Brown Recluse spider, characterized by its unique violin-shaped marking and six eyes, is often misunderstood.
While many fear its venomous bite, it’s essential to understand that these spiders are passive hunters, preferring to ambush their prey rather than actively pursuing it.
Contrary to popular belief, they do not jump like some other spider species.
Recognizing their distinctive features and habitats can help in proper identification and safe handling, ensuring minimal encounters and potential harm.
Footnotes
6 Comments. Leave new
I totally overlooked this one, sorry, Daniel! You’re right though, it is a male Titiotus, of family Tengellidae. That genus is confined to California so far, with 16 described species at the moment (though they can’t be told about without a microscope exam). They definitely get mistaken for brown recluses pretty often in CA.
Thanks Mandy,
I created a Tengellid Spiders category. Does the family have a common name?
Well, I recently had a run in with one of these lovely creatures. Sadly, I ended up smacking the arachnid off my leg and then later realizing: Gee, that was a spider. Somehow, I didn’t kill it right away, but knocked a leg off and then, I assume, broke the others. It was sad to see that either the spider was trying to wave goodbye or deathcrawl to bite me. Regardless, he went down the drain. Location: Fayetteville, Tennessee
I’ve recently captivated a little friend that is exactly this spider. I’m assuming that it’s a female based on such, that “she” is very large. For the time being I’ve named her Freja (fre-hah) and I’ve given her a decent sized tank bedded with potting soil, a fake vine to hide in, also a small dish with a thin layer of water for drinking if she does so desire, and a small tree like structure. With that in mind “She” has 6 small cricket friends to play tag with in the mean time. I hope to learn mpre about my new pet in time. =)
So I’m known as my family bug expert (though am in no way an actual expert – I just don’t kill bugs unless necessary whereas my family slaughters indiscriminately lol) – my sister sent me a picture of a spider she had killed worried it was a Brown Recluse and since we live in Tennessee odds were good – but it was missing the violin marking and had some other slight differences. I found this article and after looking at various websites with good pictures I determined it was most likely a female titiotus tengellide – just thought ya’ll might like to know since it seems to be believed that the spider is native to California and any further range appears unknown.
I have found 4 brown recluse spiders in my basement I did get the first one confirmed by a pest control person should I be alarmed. I live in the basement of my mother’s home.