Oklahoma is home to a fascinating array of spider species. Whether you find them intriguing or alarming, learning about these eight can enhance your appreciation of the natural world around you.
The Southern Black Widow is perhaps the most notorious spider in Oklahoma. Its shiny black body and distinctive red hourglass marking make it easily recognizable. Females are often found in dark, secluded places such as woodpiles, sheds, and basements. They thrive in areas where insects are plentiful, serving as both a home and hunting ground. An interesting fact is their reputation for potent venom, which, while medically significant, rarely causes fatalities thanks to modern medical treatments. Despite their fearsome reputation, fatalities from black widow bites are extremely rare with prompt medical treatment. Interestingly, black widows exhibit sexual dimorphism, where females are much larger and more venomous than males. Additionally, the female black widow occasionally consumes the male after mating, a behavior that has fascinated and horrified observers alike.
Bright green and often adorned with red patches around their eyes, Green Lynx Spiders are visually striking. They are typically found in bushes and plants, especially in agricultural settings like cotton fields. They are attracted to areas teeming with insects, making them excellent natural pest controllers. What sets the Green Lynx apart is its ability to change color slightly to blend into its surroundings, providing a form of camouflage. This adaptive trait, along with its sharp eyesight and agile movements, makes the Green Lynx a fascinating study in the diversity of arachnid adaptations Moreover, they are known to be protective of their egg sacs, fiercely guarding them against potential threats. Their ability to jump significant distances to catch prey or evade predators adds another layer of intrigue to their behavior.
Bold Jumping Spiders are small but captivating, known for their impressive leaping abilities and keen vision. They are typically black with white markings and iridescent mouthparts. They are often seen on vertical surfaces such as walls, fences, and tree trunks, where they actively hunt for prey rather than spinning webs. They are attracted to areas where they can easily ambush smaller insects. A notable fact about these spiders is their advanced eyesight, which is considered among the best in the arthropod world. Their large, forward-facing eyes allow for precise depth perception, aiding in their remarkable jumping prowess .
Wolf Spiders are robust and agile hunters, commonly found in gardens, fields, and forests. They vary in color from brown to gray, with sturdy bodies and long legs adapted for chasing down prey. Unlike many others, they do not rely on webs to capture food; instead, they use their speed and strength to overpower insects. They are drawn to environments with ample hiding spots and abundant prey. A particularly interesting behavior is the way females care for their young, carrying egg sacs on their spinnerets and allowing the spiderlings to ride on their backs after hatching. This maternal instinct is quite rare among spiders and adds a layer of complexity to their life cycle. Additionally, they possess excellent night vision, which they use to hunt nocturnally, and are known to exhibit cannibalistic tendencies when food is scarce.
The Spotted Orbweaver, with its golden-orange or rusty-red body and alternating dark and light bands on its legs, is a common sight in wooded areas and around buildings. They are nocturnal and known for their large, intricate orb-shaped webs, which they often construct near lights that attract flying insects. Despite their somewhat fearsome appearance, Spotted Orbweavers are not aggressive. One intriguing fact about them is their tendency to hide during the day, often retreating to a silken shelter they create for safety. Their nighttime activities and web-building skills make them a fascinating subject for nocturnal observation. Additionally, the Spotted Orbweaver’s ability to rebuild its web every night is a testament to its industrious nature.
The Oklahoma Brown Tarantula is a large, hairy spider that can span 4 to 5 inches across its legs. These tarantulas prefer arid regions and typically burrow into the ground rather than spinning webs. They are attracted to warm, dry environments where they can easily find insects and other small animals to prey upon. Despite their intimidating size, Oklahoma Brown Tarantulas are generally docile and rarely bite humans. An interesting fact about these tarantulas is their longevity; they can live for several years, with females often outliving males by a significant margin. These tarantulas have urticating hairs on their abdomen, which they can flick at potential predators as a defense mechanism, causing irritation and discomfort.
Small and unassuming, the Triangulate Cobweb Spider is commonly found in homes, particularly around windows and in low-traffic areas like garages. They are yellowish-orange with a distinctive triangular pattern on their back, and attracted to quiet, undisturbed locations where they can build their messy, irregular webs to catch a variety of small insects. One interesting fact about these spiders is their ability to thrive in human environments, demonstrating their adaptability and resilience. Furthermore, their webs are designed to ensnare and immobilize prey quickly, making them highly effective hunters within their microhabitats.
The Brown Recluse is another well-known spider in Oklahoma, easily identified by the violin-shaped marking on its back. They prefer dark, secluded areas such as closets, basements, and woodpiles, where they can hunt undisturbed, and are drawn to undisturbed locations that provide ample hiding spots and prey. A notable and alarming fact about the Brown Recluse is its venom, which can cause necrosis in human tissue. However, bites are rare and usually occur only when the spider is accidentally disturbed. The Brown Recluse's secretive nature and potent venom make it both a fascinating and cautionary example of Oklahoma's arachnid diversity. Interestingly, Brown Recluse spiders can survive for extended periods without food or water, an adaptation that allows them to thrive in environments where resources may be scarce. Their ability to remain still and hidden for long durations further enhances their elusive nature, making encounters with humans less frequent but potentially more dangerous when they do occur.
Are you concerned about spiders in your home or garden? Nathan's Pest Control is here to help. Our expert team offers comprehensive pest control services to keep your living spaces secure and spider-free. Contact Nathan's Pest Control today for a thorough inspection and customized pest management plan.
65160 N. 2660 Road
Okeene, OK 73763
All Rights Reserved | Nathans Pest Control