The brown recluse or fiddleback spider is common in Oklahoma. It is also known as a violin spider. The brown recluse can be light tan to dark brown in color. Adult spiders can be about half an inch long and have long legs with dark hairs. These legs are delicate and the spiders' bodies are soft. The brown recluse has three pairs of eyes which are arranged in a semicircle. Behind the semicircle is a dark violin-shaped marking. The brown recluse is active by night and tends to rest in less active areas by day. It is found both indoors and outside. The brown recluse tends to bite when pressure is applied to it, but it is not aggressive. A person may be bitten by a recluse in his shoes, clothing or bed. People react differently to brown recluse bites, but if you suspect you have been bitten you should contact your doctor. Untreated bites can leave scars and lead to fever.
Tarantulas found in Oklahoma can be either brown or black. They are very hairy and can grow to more than 3 inches in length. Female abdomens can reach about the size of a quarter. Tarantulas hunt at night and spend the day in sheltered areas. Female tarantulas can live 15 to 20 years. Between June and September male tarantulas may migrate in groups. Tarantulas are sometimes kept as pets but require careful handling. Tarantula fangs can pierce the skin, though tarantula venom is usually not considered dangerous to humans. Tarantulas can go for several weeks without eating and can propel barbed hairs at attackers as a defense. These hairs are not harmful to humans, though they have been found piercing the noses of dogs.
Wolf spiders, which can grow more than an inch long, are usually brown or black in hue. The spiders are also often striped. Wolf spiders make webs, not to capture prey but to provide themselves with a daytime resting place. They capture their prey on the prowl. Female wolf spiders carry their eggs below their abdomens until they hatch. The newly hatched spiders may continue to cling to the mother's abdomen for a time. Wolf spiders may bite but they are not dangerous to humans.
Garden spiders, also called orb weavers because they produce flat and circular webs, come in a variety of colors and sizes. Many of these spiders are large and have brightly colored markings. They are found in gardens, on fences, in houses and in yards. Garden spiders, though intimidating in appearance, are generally harmless. They are often considered nuisances because they can build their webs in inconvenient locations, though their webs often catch nuisance insects in gardens.
