Spiders are among the most feared creatures on the planet, and Oklahoma is home to several species of spiders, including some of the most dangerous ones in North America.
In this article, we will explore the top five largest and most dangerous spiders in Oklahoma, according to. We will also discuss the characteristics, habitats, and behaviors of these spiders, as well as their potential danger to humans. Whether you are an arachnophobe or just curious about these eight-legged creatures, read on to discover the fascinating world of spiders in Oklahoma.
You are reading: Top 5 Largest Most Dangerous Spiders In Oklahoma
Top 5 Largest Most Dangerous Spiders In Oklahoma
Black Widow
The black widow spider is one of the two most dangerous spiders found in Oklahoma. The female black widow is slightly larger than the brown recluse and is glossy black in color.
It has eight eyes arranged in two rows, and the overall length of the female (legs extended) is about 1 1/2 inches, while the male is much smaller, about 1 inch long.
The male usually has three light streaks on his abdomen but is recognizable by knob-like appendages on the front of the head. The female black widow normally hangs ‘belly’ upward and rarely leaves her web.
Its venom is highly poisonous to humans, and it can cause severe muscle pain, cramps, spasms, and other symptoms.
Characteristics
– Glossy black in color
– Slightly larger than the brown recluse
– Eight eyes arranged in two rows
– Female: about 1 1/2 inches long (legs extended)
– Male: about 1 inch long
– Male usually has three light streaks on his abdomen
– Female normally hangs ‘belly’ upward and rarely leaves her web
Habitats
– Common spiders in all regions of Oklahoma
– Found in dark, dry, and sheltered places such as woodpiles, sheds, garages, and basements
Behaviors
– Shy and non-aggressive
– Bites only when threatened or disturbed
– Venom is highly poisonous to humans and can cause severe muscle pain, cramps, spasms, and other symptoms
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse spider, also known as the fiddleback spider, is one of the two most dangerous spiders found in Oklahoma. It is a soft-bodied, secretive species that is light tan to dark brown in color. The adult spider is about half an inch in length and has long, delicate legs that are covered with short, dark hairs.
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The brown recluse spider will typically only bite a human if it is threatened or touched. Its bite can be mild to serious in humans, and its hemolytic venom is medically potent and may cause serious swelling, redness, and pain at the bite site.
While the brown recluse’s bite is dangerous, people rarely die from it. In this section, we will discuss the characteristics, habitats, and behaviors of the brown recluse spider in more detail.
Characteristics
– Soft-bodied, secretive species
– Light tan to dark brown in color
– About half an inch in length
– Long, delicate legs covered with short, dark hairs
Habitats
– Common spiders in all regions of Oklahoma
– Found in dark, dry, and sheltered places such as woodpiles, sheds, garages, and basements
Behaviors
– Shy and non-aggressive
– Bites only when threatened or disturbed
– Venom is medically potent and may cause serious swelling, redness, and pain at the bite site
Tarantula
Tarantulas are a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. As of August 2022, 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera.
Tarantulas are burrowers and typically live in the ground. They are slow and deliberate movers, but accomplished nocturnal predators. Insects are their main prey, but they also target bigger game, including frogs, toads, and mice.
Tarantulas have few natural enemies, except for the parasitic pepsis wasp, which can paralyze a tarantula with its sting and lay its eggs on the spider’s body.
When the wasp eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the still-living tarantula. While tarantulas are not considered highly dangerous to humans, their bites can be painful and cause swelling and redness at the bite site.
Here are some characteristics, habitats, and behaviors of tarantulas:
Characteristics
– Large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae
– 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera
– Body length of about 1 1/2 inches (40 mm)
– Relatively common throughout Texas and most of the world’s tropical, subtropical, and desert regions
– Vary in color and behavior according to their specific environments
Habitats
– Burrowers that typically live in the ground
– Found in most of the world’s tropical, subtropical, and desert regions
Behaviors
– Slow and deliberate movers, but accomplished nocturnal predators
– Insects are their main prey, but they also target bigger game, including frogs, toads, and mice
– Few natural enemies, except for the parasitic pepsis wasp
– Bites can be painful and cause swelling and redness at the bite site
Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are a group of robust, fast, and agile hunters that rely on good eyesight to hunt, typically at night. They are solitary animals that typically roam alone in the night, stalking prey.
Wolf spiders are found in a wide range of habitats both coastal and inland, including shrublands, woodland, wet coastal forest, alpine meadows, suburban gardens, and homes. They live almost everywhere in the world, besides the extreme polar region and the Antarctic.
Wolf spiders are especially common in grasslands and meadows, but they also live in mountains, deserts, rainforests, and wetlands — anywhere they can find insects to eat. Their habitats include stream edges, gravel, and low vegetation.
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Here are some characteristics, habitats, and behaviors of wolf spiders:
Characteristics
– Robust, fast, and agile hunters
– Relatively large in size
– Black, gray, or brown pattern on the back
– Keen senses, which they use to hunt, find mates, and protect themselves from predators
– Excellent eyesight
Habitats
– Found in a wide range of habitats both coastal and inland
– Common in grasslands and meadows, but they also live in mountains, deserts, rainforests, and wetlands
– Their habitats include stream edges, gravel, and low vegetation
Behaviors
– Solitary animals that typically roam alone in the night, stalking prey
– Hunt in the open during the day and night, living in leaf litter and burrows
– Wanderers without permanent homes
– Some species have very complex courtship behaviors and secondary sexual characteristics, such as tufts of bristles on their legs or special colorations
Jumping Spider
Jumping spiders are a group of spiders belonging to the family Salticidae. They are known for their exceptional vision, which supports a diverse range of visually-mediated behaviors.
Jumping spiders have four pairs of eyes, with the principal pair being movable, and the other three pairs being fixed. They use their vision for hunting, courtship, and navigation.
Jumping spiders are capable of very agile jumps, notably when hunting, but sometimes in response to sudden threats or crossing long gaps. They are found all over the world, with the exception of Antarctica, and live in a variety of habitats, including tropical forests, temperate forests, grasslands, scrublands, and even deserts.
Here are some characteristics, habitats, and behaviors of jumping spiders:
Characteristics
– Belong to the family Salticidae
– Exceptional vision that supports a diverse range of visually-mediated behaviors
– Four pairs of eyes, with the principal pair being movable, and the other three pairs being fixed
Habitats
– Found all over the world, with the exception of Antarctica
– Live in a variety of habitats, including tropical forests, temperate forests, grasslands, scrublands, and even deserts
Behaviors
– Capable of very agile jumps, notably when hunting, but sometimes in response to sudden threats or crossing long gaps
– Use their vision for hunting, courtship, and navigation
– Incredibly active and always busy exploring their surroundings
FAQS
1. What are the top 5 largest and most dangerous spiders in Oklahoma?
According to, the top 5 largest and most dangerous spiders in Oklahoma are:
1. Black Widow
2. Brown Recluse
3. Oklahoma Brown Tarantula
4. Rabid Wolf Spider
5. Green Lynx Spider
2. Are all spiders in Oklahoma dangerous to humans?
No, not all spiders in Oklahoma are dangerous to humans. In fact, according to, only two spiders in Oklahoma, the brown recluse and black widow, are considered dangerous to people. However, other spiders found in the state may be formidable, scary, or repulsive to some, but to most people, their bite is less harmful than a bee sting.
3. What should I do if I get bitten by a dangerous spider in Oklahoma?
If you get bitten by a dangerous spider in Oklahoma, such as the brown recluse or black widow, you should seek medical attention immediately. According to, the victim should consult a physician immediately in case of a bite.
4. Are tarantulas dangerous to humans in Oklahoma?
While tarantulas are not considered highly dangerous to humans, their bites can be painful and cause swelling and redness at the bite site, according to.
5. What habitats do these dangerous spiders in Oklahoma live in?
The habitats of these dangerous spiders in Oklahoma vary. For example, according to, the brown recluse and black widow spiders are found in dark, dry, and sheltered places such as woodpiles, sheds, garages, and basements. Tarantulas, on the other hand, are burrowers that typically live in the ground, according to. Wolf spiders are found in a wide range of habitats both coastal and inland, including shrublands, woodland, wet coastal forest, alpine meadows, suburban gardens, and homes, according to. Jumping spiders are found all over the world, with the exception of Antarctica, and live in a variety of habitats, including tropical forests, temperate forests, grasslands, scrublands, and even deserts, according to.
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