The brown recluse is a venomous spider most commonly found in
midwestern and southern states of the United States. It is about
one-half inch overall and has long skinny legs. The brown recluse
is brown with a characteristic dark violin-shaped marking on its
head. It is most commonly found outside in wood, leaves, or in
piles of rocks. If a brown recluse wanders indoors they will go to
dark closets, shoes, or attics. The brown recluse is a
non-aggressive spider and will only bite when it is disturbed.
Review Date: 01/13/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason
Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve,
MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
