Venomous spiders in Texas
How to recognize them
Black widowMedically significant441 records, 96 counties
Brown recluseMedically significant130 records, 44 counties
TarantulaPainful, rarely serious557 records, 76 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious102 records, 21 counties
Black widow Latrodectus mactans, L. variolus, L. hesperus
- Shiny black female with a round abdomen
- Red hourglass or two red marks under the abdomen
- Messy, strong web low to the ground, often in garages, wood piles and water meters
Brown recluse Loxosceles reclusa
- Dark violin shape on the back, neck of the violin points to the rear
- Six eyes in three pairs (most spiders have eight)
- Plain tan abdomen and legs with no bands or spines
Tarantula Aphonopelma spp.
- Large, hairy, brown to black spider
- Lives in a burrow with silk around the entrance
- Males wander in late summer and fall looking for mates
Brown widow Latrodectus geometricus
- Tan to dark brown female with an orange hourglass
- Spiky round egg sacs that look like burrs
- Webs under patio chairs, mailboxes and eaves
Almost all spiders have venom, but very few can hurt people. We list the ones with medically significant bites plus a few that people often worry about.
Counties with records
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Active months
Harmless spiders people mistake for them
- Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider Wolf spider: harmless
- Brown Recluse vs Cellar Spider Cellar spider: harmless
- Brown Recluse vs Southern House Spider Southern house spider: harmless
Quick answers
- Lives here Are there brown recluses in Texas?
- Lives here Are there black widows in Texas?
- Lives here Are there tarantulas in Texas?
Questions
How many venomous spiders are in Texas?
4 species live in the state: Black widow, Brown recluse, Tarantula and Brown widow.
Which venomous spiders in Texas are dangerous?
Black widow and Brown recluse: bites or stings need medical care.
When are venomous spiders most active in Texas?
Most open records fall in April to July, September.
Which harmless spiders get mistaken for venomous ones in Texas?
Wolf spider, Cellar spider and Southern house spider. See the side-by-side comparisons below.