How to Tell Brown Recluse Spiders from a Picture
The bite of a brown recluse spider can cause blistering, pain, lesions, nausea and in extreme situations -- death. It is important to know what this spider looks like so you can better avoid it, or to identify it if you ever receive a bite. A brown recluse spider has many physical attributes that sets it apart from other spiders, especially in the region of the U.S. where it is often found. This spider is mostly regional to the southern and Midwestern states.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Look for a spider that is medium brown in color. The brown recluse spider has varying shades of brown along its entire body, but the abdomen is uniformly colored. Some recluse's have medium brown on their abdomen, while others have a dark brown abdomen. Juvenile recluse's are often tan in color and old spiders are darker brown.
-
2
Count the spider's eyes. Unlike most spiders, the brown recluse has six instead of eight eyes.
-
-
3
Zoom into its abdomen to spot the violin-shape. Brown recluse spiders are famous for a fiddle or violin shape on the top of their abdomen area.
-
4
Spot a spider with long, thin legs. Compared to other spiders, the brown recluse spider's legs are long compared to its thin abdomen.
-
5
Estimate the spider's size. Adult brown recluse's are a little larger than a quarter, or 3/8 inches long and 3/16 inches wide. Juvenile recluse's are often no bigger than a nickel.
-
6
Spot fine hairs which give the spider a velvety-appearance. Fine hairs are distributed along the legs and abdomen areas of the body.
-
1
