Quick answer
The brown recluse is a small venomous spider named for a violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax and its shy, reclusive habits. Found mainly in the central and southern United States, it bites rarely but can cause necrotic skin lesions. Adults are 6–20 mm long and listed Not Evaluated by IUCN.
Key takeaway
The brown recluse is a small venomous spider named for a violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax and its shy, reclusive habits. Found mainly in the central and southern United States, it bites rarely but can cause necrotic skin lesions. Adults are 6–20 mm long and listed Not Evaluated by IUCN.
Brown Recluse Spider overview
Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is a invertebrate listed here as Not Evaluated. Typical weight 0.5–1 g (0.0005–0.001 kg); lifespan around 2–4 years; slow-growing and long-lived for a spider.
Brown Recluse Spider ecology
Diet: Carnivore — insects and other small arthropods. Habitat: Dark undisturbed spaces — attics, closets, sheds, and woodpiles. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Brown Recluse Spiders and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild brown recluse spiders are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Not Evaluated. See the full Brown Recluse Spider profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Reclusive habits
Brown recluses avoid open spaces and daylight, spinning irregular webs in undisturbed corners rather than catching prey in orb webs. They hunt small insects at night and tolerate crowding — dozens may share a hidden void in infested buildings.
Violin marking and identification
The dark violin-shaped mark on the cephalothorax helps identification, though similar marks occur on harmless species. Six eyes in three pairs (most spiders have eight) is a diagnostic feature. Misidentification is common outside their native range.
Sources
Brown Recluse Spider FAQs
What are key facts about brown recluse spiders?
The brown recluse is a small venomous spider named for a violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax and its shy, reclusive habits. Found mainly in the central and southern United States, it bites rarely but can cause necrotic skin lesions. Adults are 6–20 mm long and listed Not Evaluated by IUCN.
What is the scientific name of the brown recluse spider?
Loxosceles reclusa — used in research and conservation listings for brown recluse spiders.
What do brown recluse spiders eat?
Brown Recluse Spiders eat insects and other small arthropods, with seasonal and regional variation in Dark undisturbed spaces — attics, closets, sheds, and woodpiles.
Where do brown recluse spiders live?
They are associated with Dark undisturbed spaces — attics, closets, sheds, and woodpiles. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of brown recluse spiders?
Listed in our guides as Not Evaluated. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.