Deadly Brown Recluse Spider

    The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is also commonly known as the violin spider. One of the defining ways the brown recluse can be identified is a backwards shaped violin mark on the rear of the spiders head. Caution must be used with this method of identification though due to the fact that a few other spiders in the United States also share a similar mark. To identify the brown recluse with certainty you can observe the eyes of the spider. Most spiders have 8 eyes but the brown recluse only has six. It will have two pair at the front of it’s head and two on each side of it head.

    The Brown Recluse spider lives mostly in sheltered areas. Homes and outbuildings, such as barns, are some of their favorite dwelling spots. This spider prefers dry places that are very seldom disturbed. Studies have shown that inside living spaces these spiders like to make their home around cardboard of some kind. An interesting fact about the Brown Recluse is that this spider will leave it’s nest at night to hunt.

    The initial bite of the Brown Recluse spider tends to be painless and will on most occasions go unnoticed initially. Most bite victims, shortly after contact, start to exhibit signs of poisoning.

    These symptoms might include: Shivering, fever, vomiting, nausea, itching, and shock. After a few hours you will notice slight swelling and redness around the bite location.

    The bite of this spider causing ulceration. This is basically a death of the skin and tissue around the bite location. Though most Brown Recluse bites don’t result in death due to advances in medical science if left untreated most bites would result in death. The poison itself would not result in death but the ensuing infection and possible gangrene would in most cases prove fatal without proper treatment.