Black Spiders in Louisiana

The State of Louisiana is home to many exotic creatures, such as alligators and the great blue heron. Because of its weather and climate conditions, Louisiana is also home to a variety of different black spiders ranging from the black widow to the mouse spider. These spiders live throughout different regions of the state and often come in contact with natives of the region.

  1. Black Widow

    • The black widow spider is found throughout the State of Louisiana. The spider species is from the family Theridiidae, and of the 31 different species found within this genus, five of those black widow spider species live in Louisiana. The spider is black in color with a red mark on top of its stomach that resembles a diamond. The black widow is famous for its reproductive traits. During reproduction, the male spider, after copulation has occurred, will sacrifice itself to the female, and the female will then ingest the male. Black widow spiders are found throughout the wetlands of Louisiana and around parks and forests. This spider is dangerous as it is toxic to humans. When a black widow spider bites, it will release a neurotoxin within the blood stream of its victim. When this occurs, the person can suffer from latrodectism, a neurological symptom that results in pain, severe muscle cramps, headache dizziness and nausea.

    Black House Spider

    • Originating from Australia and New Zealand, the black house spider is a common spider found in homes throughout New York, New Mexico and Louisiana, as well as other southern states. The black house spider is black in color. Its stomach and legs are medium black, while its throat and head are a darker black. Its lower abdomen is a dark gray color. These spiders are considered a pest in Louisiana and are found within backyards and homes.

    Comb-Footed Spider

    • Like the black widow spider, the comb-footed spider belongs to the Theridiidae family. There are over 2,000 species of this spider. These spiders are known for their three-dimensional webs. In Louisiana, the comb-footed spider can be found in dark areas, caves, sheds and basements, anywhere that is dark and secluded. The spider's stomach is much larger than the rest of its body. This is because the stomach stores the web matter the spider uses to make its elaborate and large three-dimensional webs.

    Mouse Spider

    • The mouse spider is a furry spider from the family Actinopodidae. These spiders are common in the southern states and are much larger than other spider species. Mouse spiders like to burrow themselves and live deep in the soil, under rocks and doors. They do not like natural light and will feed during the night. These spiders like to feed on insects and wasps making them common fixtures in gardens and yards. The spider has a glossy coat over all, with furry skin around its stomach and the back of its legs.