Brown Recluse Spider

Natural Habitat

Dark, undisturbed indoor locations such as attics, basements, closets, and behind furniture, or outdoors under rocks and bark.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; primarily hunts soft-bodied insects like silverfish, crickets, and cockroaches at night.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal hunter that does not use a web to catch prey; instead, it spins irregular silk retreats for resting. They are shy and generally avoid human contact.

Risks & Benefits

Possesses a potent necrotic venom that can cause skin lesions (loxoscelism) in humans, though bites are rare and usually occur when the spider is pressed against the skin. Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest insect populations.

Identified on: 6/5/2026