Brown recluse spider

What does Brown recluse spider look like?

A modest tan-to-brown spider (leg span ~2 cm) with a darker violin-shaped mark on the front body pointing backward, six eyes arranged in three pairs, and uniformly colored legs with no spines or banding.

Is Brown recluse spider dangerous?

Venomous, but bites are uncommon and frequently over-diagnosed — most suspected 'recluse bites' are something else. It's only native to the central and southern US. A bite can occasionally cause a slow-healing wound.

Commonly confused with

• Many harmless brown spiders: most have 8 eyes, leg spines, or patterned legs

What should I do about Brown recluse spider?

Don't handle it. Never diagnose a bite from a photo — if you develop a worsening sore, fever or spreading redness after a suspected bite, see a doctor.