Common Spiders in Texas

Texas is home to nearly 900 different species of spiders, yet only two groups of spiders, widow spiders and recluse spiders, are poisonous to humans. There are a number of spiders that are mistakenly understood to be poisonous; among these are tarantulas, jumping spiders and wolf spiders. Nonetheless, people who are allergic to spider venom may have a severe reaction to any spider bite.

There are five known species of recluse in Texas, Loxosceles apachae, L. blanda, L. devia, L. recluse and L. rufescens, though only L. recluse and L. rufescens have been shown to be hazardous to humans. Loxosceles recluse, or brown recluse, is perhaps the best known of the recluse species to inhabit Texas. Recluse spiders favor garages, firewood piles and basements and often live in areas where humans reside. Although they do spin webs, Recluse spiders actually hunt their prey, usually during the nighttime hours.

Southern black widow spiders, as well as other black widow species, live throughout the entire United States. Other widow species found in Texas are the western black widow, northern black widow and the brown widow. Widows are primarily found outdoors, though they are frequently found in garages, basements, within furniture, around water meters and other places which are not often disturbed. Widow spiders are a shy species and like most spiders will avoid human contact when possible. Most widow bites occur when people accidentally disturb a hidden spider or its web.

Texas tarantulas are large, hairy spiders that range from brown to black and are typically larger than three inches when fully grown. Tarantulas typically hunt at night and remain hidden during the day in safe dark sheltered areas. Tarantulas are not dangerous to humans and are often kept as pets where they can become very tame and can be handled carefully. Tarantulas need plenty of water and eat crickets, caterpillars and other insects.

Jumping spiders actively hunt during the day and rely on good eyesight to spot moving prey.

Eyesight is enhanced by the jumping spider's eight eyes, of which one large pair is in the front. Jumping spiders will jump on spotted prey and excrete a line of webbing as they attack. These active jumpers are typically brightly colored and usually have bands of black and white on their bodies or legs.

Another species which hunts mainly at night, wolf spiders are typically brown and black and may have stripes as well. They are often seen at night when light is reflected from their eyes. These spiders form webbing during the day, but this webbing is meant to provide shelter and not to capture prey. Wolf spiders are frequently found inside homes but are not a danger to humans.