Only a few spider species are considered dangerous.
To some people, spiders are some of the most fear-inducing, cringe-worthy critters around. Even Nevada residents who don't live in fear of spiders should be aware that there are a few arachnid species in the state that do pose a danger to humans. Technically, people describe spiders as poisonous, but they are actually venomous. All spiders are venomous, but most are not dangerous because they either are not strong enough to pierce human skin, or their venom is too weak to affect people.
Black Widow
The western black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus, is one of the better known of the dangerous spiders in the country. These creatures are common residents of the state of Nevada, though only the female poses any danger to people. They tend to be most active at night and can be driven inside when the temperatures dip below freezing. They can easily be identified by their shiny black coloration and the bright red hourglass shape found on the bottom of their abdomen. A bite from these spiders can be painful and potentially deadly, though fatalities are rare, especially when anti-venom can be given.
Desert Recluse
A close relative of the brown recluse, the desert recluse spider, Loxosceles deserta, is found in limited numbers in the southern part of Nevada. Though they potentially pose a threat to humans, not as much is known about these spiders as is known about their better-known relatives. These spiders are of a brown or tan color, with about a half-inch body length and long legs. They lack the distinctive violin or fiddle pattern found in brown recluse spiders.
Tarantula
Nevada is also home to the large and intimidating-looking tarantula. These spiders, from the family Theraphosidae, can be found in numerous species and subspecies in Nevada. While they can bite and release fine hairs that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, they aren't considered dangerous to humans. Their bite has been compared to a bee or wasp sting. They can be tan, brown or black, and some can grow to be several inches in body length. Though these spiders can be found almost anywhere in Nevada desert environments, they are mostly nocturnal and spend much of their life alone. They can be found spending the daylight hours in their burrows, coming out to hunt at night.
Tags: body length, brown recluse, considered dangerous, known about, These spiders, these spiders
