The 5 Most Dangerous Spiders in Arizona

I've been terrified of spiders for as long as I can remember. Living in the desert, a place renowned for its unusual arachnids, gave me a different way to express this fear.

It turns out that the largest desert spiders, tarantulas, are far less problematic than some of their smaller cousins. So, which spiders should you worry about in the desert?

The Five Most Dangerous Spiders in Arizona

Here are the five most dangerous spiders in Arizona:

5. Black-Footed Yellow Sac Spider

This nocturnal spider is less well-known than some of its more deadly counterparts, but it is still dangerous. Its bite can cause localized pain, redness, and swelling. In Arizona, these spiders are most often found on the leaves of trees and shrubs, but they can also be found in a house or another structure.

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4. Desert Recluse

A close relative of the brown recluse, the desert recluse also has a nasty bite that can cause severe skin damage and affect your nervous system.

Thankfully, they don't like to live near humans. These spiders generally avoid urban areas and prefer to live near vegetation or in packrat dens.

READ: Who Wins a Fight Between a Sun Spider & a Scorpion?

The venom of a Desert Recluse is necrotic, so once bitten, the skin around the bite begins to die, and it can take many weeks to heal. If bitten by one of these spiders, medical attention may be necessary.

3. Brown Recluse

Often called a Fiddleback spider, this arachnid is known for its violin-shaped markings. These spiders prefer to live in homes and buildings, like dark or dimly lit locations, such as basements, closets, and cluttered areas. 

The brown recluse’s bite can lead to necrotic skin lesions and cause symptoms like fever and chills. If you think you've been bitten, it's essential to seek medical help.

2. Brown Widow

Like the black widow, the Brown Widow spider has an orange hourglass marking on the abdomen's ventral (under) side.

READ: This Deadly Insect is on the Move in Arizona Right Now

A brown recluse is timid and rarely bites humans, but in the rare cases it does happen, you should seek medical attention. The brown widow's venom is less potent than the black widow's, but it can still cause severe pain and discomfort if bitten.

1. Black Widow

The deadliest spider in Arizona, the Black Widow, doesn't go looking for a fight. These spiders typically live in overhanging ledges, woodpiles, under benches or stones, near entrances to abandoned rodent burrows, or around outbuildings.

The famous red hourglass shape on its abdomen makes it easy to recognize the Black Widow. Although they generally only bite to defend themselves, the Black Widow is one of the most venomous spiders in Arizona. A bite can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and difficulty breathing. You should get immediate medical attention if bitten.

The spiders on our list are dangerous but usually only bite when provoked. If you think there’s an infestation, it’s best to leave them alone and hire an exterminator.

Sources: Bird Watching HQ | A-Z Animals | Spider Identifications | Spider anatomy - Wikipedia