|  | Bites Stings | Spider Bites

Dangerous Spiders in Southern California

Spiders are a species of arachnid, found on every continent except Antarctica. In North America alone there are thousands of varieties of spider, some venomous and some harmless, though not all of these will be found in California. Fatalities involving venomous spiders are rare, because antidotes are widely available if medical treatment is sought.

  1. Arizona Recluse

    • The Arizona recluse is a venomous spider that is one-third of an inch long and has a leg span of about 1.5 inches. Both male and female are similar in size. They are generally yellowish-brown to brown in color with no markings on the abdomen but a dark violin shape mark on the upper body. The Arizona recluse has a necrotic bite, which means that the bite causes severe damage to the skin and surrounding tissue, resulting in a large open sore called a necrotic lesion. This injury takes a long time to heal.

    Chilean Recluse

    • The Chilean recluse is similar in appearance to the Arizona recluse, but it is slightly larger. The Chilean recluse is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown and has the same violin shape marking on the upper body with no markings on the abdomen. The Chilean recluse also has a necrotic bite. The bite causes severe damage to the skin and surrounding tissue, resulting in a large open sore called a necrotic lesion. In some cases, headaches, nausea, abdominal cramps, joint stiffness, and fever have been reported. Of all the recluse spiders, the Chilean Recluse has one of the most venomous bites.

    Desert Recluse

    • The Desert recluse is approximately one-half inch long with leg span of 1.5 to 2 inches. The Desert recluse is yellowish-tan to tan and has no markings on its body. It's bite causes severe damage to the skin and surrounding tissue, resulting in a large open sore called a necrotic lesion. In some cases, headaches, nausea, abdominal cramps, joint stiffness, and fever have been reported. Other possible recluse varieties include the Russell's, Martha's and Baja recluse spider.

    Brown Widow

    • Female brown widows are approximately one-half inch long with a leg span of 1.5 to 2 inches. A mature male is about one-third smaller than the female. They are typically tan to medium-brown, but some have been known to be both much lighter and darker. The infamous widow hourglass marking is found on the underside of the abdomen, which is usually orange or yellow. Females are venomous, whereas males are considered harmless. Brown widows are not considered as dangerous as their relative, the black widow, and are not considered deadly.

    Western Black Widow

    • Mature females will typically reach half an inch long with a leg span of 1.5 to 2 inches. The males are about one-third the size of the females. Jet black in coloring, the black widow has an unmistakable bright red or orange hourglass mark on the underside of the abdomen. They also have varying patterns on the top side of their body, such as red or white spots. Black Widows are not considered aggressive but will bite as a defense when they feel threatened. The bite of an adult female is dangerous to humans, and requires immediate medical attention. Although fatalities are rare from widow bites, they should be treated seriously, particularly if the victim is a child or elderly.

Spider Bites - Related Articles