Wildlife Guide · North America

Brown Recluse Spider

Loxosceles reclusa

The violin-marked spider of the American South

IUCN: Not Evaluated

Brown recluse spider showing violin marking on cephalothorax

Image: Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

In brief

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.

By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated July 2026

0.015 m

Typical length

1 g

Typical weight

0.5 km/h

Top speed

3 yrs

Lifespan

Figures sourced from Wikipedia — Brown Recluse Spider, Wikidata — Brown Recluse Spider .

Brown Recluse Spider: Quick Facts

Vital statistics and key facts about the Brown Recluse Spider
Scientific name	Loxosceles reclusa
Diet	Carnivore — insects and other small arthropods
Habitat	Dark undisturbed spaces — attics, closets, sheds, and woodpiles
Lifespan	2–4 years; slow-growing and long-lived for a spider
Weight	0.5–1 g (0.0005–0.001 kg)
Top speed	Quick short bursts when threatened; otherwise sedentary
Conservation status	Not Evaluated (IUCN)

Scientific Classification

Scientific classification of the Brown Recluse Spider
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Arachnida
Order	Araneae
Family	Sicariidae
Genus	Loxosceles

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated (IUCN Red List category)
Population: Global population not compiled for this guide
Trend: See the IUCN Red List assessment
Assessed: See the IUCN Red List assessment
CITES: See CITES appendices

Conservation figures are drawn from the IUCN Red List and CITES; this guide links to the authoritative sources rather than restating population counts.

Key Facts: Brown Recluse Spider

Brown recluses avoid open spaces and daylight, spinning irregular webs in undisturbed corners rather than catching prey in orb webs.
The dark violin-shaped mark on the cephalothorax helps identification, though similar marks occur on harmless species.
Bites occur when spiders are trapped against skin in clothing or bedding — they do not chase people.

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.

Venom and necrosis

Bites occur when spiders are trapped against skin in clothing or bedding — they do not chase people. Venom contains enzymes that can cause necrotic wounds in some victims, though many bites heal without serious tissue damage. Medical attention is advised for suspected bites.

Geographic limits and myths

Brown recluses are native to the south-central United States and rarely found outside this range despite frequent misidentifications elsewhere. Not Evaluated by IUCN. Reducing clutter, shaking out stored clothing, and sealing entry points limit indoor encounters.

What WARN Does

WARN does not run a dedicated brown recluse spider programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The brown recluse spider is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the brown recluse spider supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.

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Brown Recluse Spider: Frequently Asked Questions

Are brown recluse bites deadly?

Death is extremely rare. Most bites cause mild irritation; some develop necrotic ulcers requiring medical care. Many suspected bites are misdiagnosed.

Where do brown recluse spiders live?

South-central United States from Nebraska to Georgia and Texas — not on the West Coast or Northeast despite common misidentifications.

How do you identify a brown recluse?

Uniform brown colour, violin mark on the back, six eyes in three pairs, and no stripes on the legs. Professional identification is recommended.

Do brown recluse spiders jump?

No — they run briefly when disturbed but do not jump or actively attack people.

How do you prevent brown recluse bites?

Shake out shoes and stored clothing, reduce clutter in garages and attics, use sticky traps in infested buildings, and seal cracks where spiders enter.

What do brown recluse spiders eat?

Brown Recluse Spiders eat Carnivore — insects and other small arthropods. 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.

Are brown recluse spiders dangerous?

The brown recluse is a small venomous spider named for a violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax and its shy, reclusive habits. Give wild brown recluse spiders space; do not corner or handle them.

How long do brown recluse spiders live?

Brown Recluse Spiders typically live 2–4 years; slow-growing and long-lived for a spider. The brown recluse is a small venomous spider named for a violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax and its shy, reclusive habits. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

How big is a brown recluse spider?

A Brown Recluse Spider is about 2–4 years; slow-growing and long-lived for a spider. 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. Conservation status: Not Evaluated (IUCN).

Sources & References

Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.

Terms used on this page

Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.

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