Brown recluse spiders are famous for their shy nature and powerful venom. While most people know about the Common Brown Recluse, there are actually several types found in different parts of the world. Each type has slight differences in size, color, habitat, and venom strength.
In this guide, I will share details about the Common Brown Recluse, Chilean Recluse, Mediterranean Recluse, and Desert Recluse. You’ll learn how to identify them, where they live, how they behave, and what makes each one unique.
1. Loxosceles reclusa (Common Brown Recluse Spider)
The Common Brown Recluse is a small to medium-sized spider. It usually measures about 6 to 20 millimeters in body length. Its color can range from light tan to dark brown. One of the easiest ways to recognize it is by the violin-shaped marking on its back. This mark points toward the spider’s abdomen. Its legs are long, thin, and without any noticeable stripes or spines.
Body Parts
The Brown Recluse has a unique body structure. Unlike most spiders that have eight eyes, the Brown Recluse has six eyes. The eyes are arranged in three pairs in a semicircle. Its body is divided into two main parts: the cephalothorax (where the head and legs connect) and the abdomen. The legs are covered with fine hairs but not spiny. It does not have bright colors or patterns like many other spiders.
Identification
- Light tan to dark brown body color
- Distinct dark violin-shaped marking on back
- Six eyes arranged in three pairs (most spiders have eight)
- Long, slender, hairless legs without stripes
- No colorful markings or banded patterns
Habitat
The Common Brown Recluse likes dark, quiet places. Indoors, it can be found in basements, attics, closets, and under furniture. It hides inside shoes, clothes, or stored boxes if left undisturbed. Outdoors, it lives under rocks, wood piles, and sheds. It prefers dry and warm environments. These spiders are often found in the southern and central parts of the United States.
Behavior
Brown Recluses are very shy spiders. They do not build large webs to catch prey. Instead, they use their silk to create shelters or hiding spots. They are active at night and hunt insects like cockroaches, crickets, and other small bugs. During the daytime, they hide and stay still. They usually avoid humans and will only bite if they feel trapped or threatened.
Venom and Bite
The bite of a Brown Recluse can be serious. Its venom contains a toxin that can destroy skin tissue. However, not every bite causes a bad reaction. Some bites heal quickly, while others can lead to painful sores that take weeks or even months to heal. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, and in rare cases, fever or chills. It’s important to seek medical attention if bitten, especially if the area becomes worse over time. Brown Recluse bites are rare because the spider avoids humans.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of a Brown Recluse starts from an egg. Female Brown Recluses lay eggs inside a silk sac. Each sac can hold about 40 to 50 eggs. After about a month, the eggs hatch into spiderlings. These spiderlings look like tiny adults but are lighter in color. They go through several molts as they grow, shedding their exoskeleton to become bigger. It takes about 10 to 12 months for them to become adults. Adult Brown Recluses can live for 2 to 4 years if the conditions are right. They continue the cycle by mating, laying eggs, and starting new generations.
2. Loxosceles laeta (Chilean Recluse Spider)
Physical Appearance
The Chilean Recluse Spider is larger than the Common Brown Recluse. Its body length can reach up to 20 millimeters, and its leg span can be even bigger. Its color ranges from light brown to reddish-brown. Some spiders may even look a little yellowish. It also has a violin-shaped mark on its back, but sometimes the mark is faint and harder to see.
Body Parts
This spider also has six eyes, arranged in three pairs in a semicircle. Like other recluse spiders, its body is divided into the cephalothorax and abdomen. The legs are long, thin, and without heavy hair or strong spines. Its body surface is smooth, and it has a simple, plain color without stripes or spots.
Identification
- Light brown, reddish-brown, or yellowish color
- Faint to visible violin-shaped marking on back
- Six eyes grouped in three pairs
- Long, thin legs with no stripes or heavy hair
- Smooth, plain body surface
Habitat
The Chilean Recluse prefers warm, dry, and dark places. Indoors, it hides behind furniture, inside closets, basements, and attics. It can also live in storage areas, under beds, and in shoes. Outdoors, it hides under rocks, logs, and woodpiles. In South America, especially in Chile, it is very common, but small populations are also found in some U.S. cities like Los Angeles.
Behavior
This spider is very shy and avoids humans. It does not chase its prey but waits quietly and attacks small insects when they come close. It is most active during the night. During the daytime, it hides in its silk retreat. It usually only bites when it feels trapped or pressed against the skin.
Venom and Bite
The Chilean Recluse has very strong venom. Its venom can destroy skin and soft tissue. A bite can start with a mild burning feeling and develop into a painful wound. In serious cases, it can cause fever, chills, and weakness. Very rarely, the venom can cause organ damage. Medical treatment is very important if a bite happens. Not every bite is dangerous, but this spider’s bite is considered one of the most serious among recluse spiders.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle starts when the female lays eggs inside a silk sac. Each sac can contain around 40 to 50 eggs. After about 30 days, tiny spiderlings hatch. These young spiders are light-colored and small. As they grow, they shed their skin several times before becoming adults. It usually takes about 10 to 12 months to become full-grown. Adults can live for up to 4 years, depending on food availability and environmental conditions. Females can lay several egg sacs in their lifetime, helping the population grow quickly.
3. Loxosceles laeta (Chilean Recluse Spider)
Physical Appearance
The Chilean Recluse Spider is larger than the Common Brown Recluse. Its body length can reach up to 20 millimeters, and its leg span can be even bigger. Its color ranges from light brown to reddish-brown. Some spiders may even look a little yellowish. It also has a violin-shaped mark on its back, but sometimes the mark is faint and harder to see.
Body Parts
This spider also has six eyes, arranged in three pairs in a semicircle. Like other recluse spiders, its body is divided into the cephalothorax and abdomen. The legs are long, thin, and without heavy hair or strong spines. Its body surface is smooth, and it has a simple, plain color without stripes or spots.
Identification
- Light brown, reddish-brown, or yellowish color
- Faint to visible violin-shaped marking on back
- Six eyes grouped in three pairs
- Long, thin legs with no stripes or heavy hair
- Smooth, plain body surface
Habitat
The Chilean Recluse prefers warm, dry, and dark places. Indoors, it hides behind furniture, inside closets, basements, and attics. It can also live in storage areas, under beds, and in shoes. Outdoors, it hides under rocks, logs, and woodpiles. In South America, especially in Chile, it is very common, but small populations are also found in some U.S. cities like Los Angeles.
Behavior
This spider is very shy and avoids humans. It does not chase its prey but waits quietly and attacks small insects when they come close. It is most active during the night. During the daytime, it hides in its silk retreat. It usually only bites when it feels trapped or pressed against the skin.
Venom and Bite
The Chilean Recluse has very strong venom. Its venom can destroy skin and soft tissue. A bite can start with a mild burning feeling and develop into a painful wound. In serious cases, it can cause fever, chills, and weakness. Very rarely, the venom can cause organ damage. Medical treatment is very important if a bite happens. Not every bite is dangerous, but this spider’s bite is considered one of the most serious among recluse spiders.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle starts when the female lays eggs inside a silk sac. Each sac can contain around 40 to 50 eggs. After about 30 days, tiny spiderlings hatch. These young spiders are light-colored and small. As they grow, they shed their skin several times before becoming adults. It usually takes about 10 to 12 months to become full-grown. Adults can live for up to 4 years, depending on food availability and environmental conditions. Females can lay several egg sacs in their lifetime, helping the population grow quickly.
4. Loxosceles rufescens (Mediterranean Recluse Spider)
Physical Appearance
The Mediterranean Recluse Spider is medium-sized. Its body length is usually about 7 to 12 millimeters. The color is often pale brown or light tan. Sometimes it may look slightly yellow or grayish. Like other recluse spiders, it has a violin-shaped mark on its back, but this marking is often very faint or hard to see.
Body Parts
This spider also has six eyes instead of eight. The eyes are grouped into three pairs in a curved row. Its body is made up of two main parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen. The legs are long, slender, and smooth without noticeable hair or spines. The body has a plain, soft texture and no bright colors.
Identification
- Pale brown, tan, or yellowish body color
- Very faint or hard-to-see violin-shaped marking
- Six eyes arranged in three pairs
- Long, thin legs without stripes
- Smooth, plain body without flashy patterns
Habitat
The Mediterranean Recluse Spider likes warm, dry areas. Indoors, it hides in basements, garages, old buildings, and even inside walls or cracks. It can also be found behind pictures, furniture, and inside storage boxes. Outdoors, it hides under rocks, wood, and debris. This spider is common in the Mediterranean region but has also spread to parts of the United States, especially in the Southwest.
Behavior
This spider is shy and secretive. It does not spin webs to catch prey. Instead, it hunts small insects and other bugs at night. During the daytime, it stays hidden in its shelter. It does not seek out humans and usually only bites when accidentally disturbed or threatened.
Venom and Bite
The bite of a Mediterranean Recluse is similar to other recluse spiders. Its venom can cause skin damage but usually not as severe as the Chilean Recluse. Bites may cause redness, swelling, and sometimes a small wound. In most cases, the bite heals on its own without serious medical problems. However, if the skin becomes worse, or if other symptoms like fever appear, it is important to see a doctor.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle begins when the female lays eggs inside silk sacs. Each sac can hold about 30 to 50 eggs. The eggs hatch in about one month. The young spiderlings are light-colored and tiny. They grow by shedding their skin several times. It takes around 10 to 11 months for them to become adults. Adult Mediterranean Recluses can live for about 2 to 3 years. During their life, females can produce multiple egg sacs, allowing their population to grow steadily.
Differences between the four types of recluse spiders
| Feature | Common Brown Recluse | Chilean Recluse | Mediterranean Recluse | Desert Recluse |
| Size | 6–20 mm body length | Up to 20 mm, larger | 7–12 mm body length | 7–15 mm body length |
| Color | Light tan to dark brown | Light brown to reddish-brown | Pale brown, tan, yellowish | Sandy-brown to tan |
| Violin Mark | Distinct and dark | Present but often faint | Very faint or hard to see | Very faint or absent |
| Eye Arrangement | 6 eyes in 3 pairs | 6 eyes in 3 pairs | 6 eyes in 3 pairs | 6 eyes in 3 pairs |
| Habitat (Indoor) | Basements, attics, closets | Furniture, closets, basements | Old buildings, garages, walls | Rare indoors; prefers outdoor spaces |
| Habitat (Outdoor) | Under rocks, woodpiles | Rocks, wood, debris | Rocks, ruins, debris | Desert areas, under rocks, bark |
| Venom Severity | Moderate to severe | Very severe, can cause major tissue damage | Mild to moderate tissue damage | Moderate tissue damage |
| Native Region | South-central United States | South America (mainly Chile) | Mediterranean region | Southwestern United States |
| Lifespan | 2–4 years | Up to 4 years | 2–3 years | 2–3 years |
| Behavior | Shy, nocturnal, hides in dark places | Shy, nocturnal, strong survival skills | Shy, nocturnal, very secretive | Very shy, mostly outdoor active |
FAQs
How can you identify a Brown Recluse Spider?
You can identify a Brown Recluse Spider by its light tan to dark brown color and the distinct dark violin-shaped mark on its back. It has six eyes arranged in three pairs, unlike most spiders that have eight. Its body and legs are smooth without stripes or heavy hair. They are usually small to medium in size, around 6–20 millimeters long.
Which Brown Recluse Spider is the most poisonous?
The Chilean Recluse is considered the most poisonous among recluse spiders. Its venom is stronger than the Common Brown Recluse and can cause severe skin damage, large wounds, and in rare cases, even life-threatening reactions. Medical treatment is important after a bite.
Where are Brown Recluse Spiders commonly found?
Brown Recluse Spiders are mainly found in the south-central parts of the United States, such as Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Other types like the Chilean Recluse are common in South America, and the Mediterranean Recluse is found in Europe, North Africa, and parts of the southwestern United States. The Desert Recluse lives in dry desert regions like Arizona and California.
Are Brown Recluse Spiders poisonous to humans?
Yes, Brown Recluse Spiders are poisonous. Their venom can destroy skin tissue and cause painful wounds. However, not every bite is serious. Some bites heal quickly, while others can cause bigger skin problems. It’s important to see a doctor if you get bitten, especially if the wound gets worse or if you feel sick.
