There are many things that come to mind when I think of Texas. Bar-b-que, wide-open spaces, beautiful hill country, bright lights, and big cities.

However, spiders are not one of them.

Like it or not, those little crawlies are everywhere. There are several varieties from the recluse to weaver spiders. Some are beneficial and some are dangerous. Here are a few of the spiders that take up home right here in Texas.

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LOOK: AMAZING SPIDERS THAT YOU'LL FIND IN TEXAS

Crab spider on white petals. Spider close up on a flower in natural setting. Green background. Thomisidae. Arachnida.
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Crab Spider

These guys are ornery. They don't rely on webs to catch their prey, they go out and hunt their food. They're quick and have no problem overpowering their dinner. Insects and other spiders are on their menu. If you're bitten, other than the pain, you may experience swelling and headaches.


 

common huntsman spider on tile floor
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Huntsman Spider

Let me tell you, these dudes can get large. They're one of the biggest found in Texas. As with the crab spider, the Huntsman spider "hunts" its prey without using a web. Their bite is far from lethal but is claimed to be painful.


 

Tarantula walking on road.
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Brown Tarantula

Yes, there are tarantulas in Texas too. In fact, the brown tarantula is one of the more well-known spiders in the state. They collect their food by digging little tunnels and ambushing their prey if they approach too close. Many people I know even keep them as pets.


Red House Spider
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Red House Spider

I know you've seen this guy. Around my house, they seem to like the window sills. It's important to note that females carry a red hourglass shape similar to that on the abdomen of the black widow spider. Although they avidly protect their web, their bite poses no danger other than a little redness.


Hacklemesh Weaver spider (Metaltella simoni) hunting for insect prey on a wall exterior at night.
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Hacklemesh Weaver Spider

Don't confuse this spider with the ones of the same name in Australia. These are found in Texas and are much less dangerous. They weave their web in a very disorganized, disarranged fashion. The bite of the weaver spider is venomous but not medically dangerous.


A Black Widow Spider spinning a web in an oak tree.
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The Black Widow Spider

Right off the bat, you can see the classic red hour-glass marking on the abdomen. These guys like to live in dry and dark areas like garages and barns. Be cautious with this one. The bite of a black widow spider is rarely lethal but you do want to get checked out as soon as possible.


Wolf Spider Caries her Babies on Back
Photo: Steven Ellingson
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Wolf Spider

If you look real close you can see a tiny face and little spider babies. The wolf spider is another who doesn't use a web to catch prey. They go out and hunt for it. Usually in a grassy field or weeds. Their bite can be painful but is not medically dangerous.


Brown Recluse Spider
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The Brown Recluse

Along with the black widow, the brown recluse is one of the most dangerous spiders in Texas. You can typically find them under rocks and in dark areas. They spin a sporadic-looking web to catch their prey. Their bite contains venom that is extremely harmful to the skin and the tissue surrounding the bite. If bitten, you should seek medical attention.

After digging and doing this research I sure found out that there are more different kinds of spiders in Texas than I ever thought. I suppose it is true, you learn something new every day.

Looking for even more creepy crawlies? You're in the right place. Read on to check out some more who are invading your space right now.

LOOK: At these Creepie Critters Invading Our Space


If you don't like creepy crawly critters then beware! They're getting into our homes.

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