These Are the 5 Largest Spiders in Louisiana: Videos

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 I can't say I'm a huge fan of snakes, but I am very captivated by them. Unlike my wife, who feels "the only good snake is a dead snake," when confronted by one, I can certainly pick it up and relocate it rather than just kill it.  But for me... spiders are a little different.  Not a huge fan... and certainly not going to pick one up voluntarily.  But education is always the key... so...

Here are the five largest spiders found in Louisiana:  

Texas Brown Tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi)

The Texas Brown Tarantula, also known as the Oklahoma Brown Tarantula, is one of the largest spiders in Louisiana. With a leg span that can reach up to 6 inches, this tarantula is a formidable presence. These spiders are generally brown, with hairy bodies and legs that contribute to their substantial size. They are primarily nocturnal and can be found in grasslands and semi-desert areas, often hiding in burrows or under rocks and logs during the day. 

Despite their intimidating appearance, Texas Brown Tarantulas are relatively docile. They are known for their burrowing behavior, constructing deep, silk-lined burrows where they spend most of their time. Their diet consists mainly of insects, but they are capable of taking down small vertebrates. They have a long lifespan, with females living up to 20 years and males living for about 10 years.

Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis)

The Carolina Wolf Spider is another large spider found in Louisiana, with females having a leg span of up to 4 inches. This spider is the largest wolf spider in North America and is known for its robust build and excellent hunting abilities. Unlike many spiders, wolf spiders do not build webs to catch prey. Instead, they are active hunters, chasing down and pouncing on their prey with great speed and agility. 

Carolina Wolf Spiders have a distinctive appearance, with a mottled brown and gray coloration that provides excellent camouflage against the ground. They have keen eyesight, aided by their eight eyes arranged in three rows. These spiders are mostly nocturnal, hiding during the day in burrows or under debris, and emerging at night to hunt. They are solitary creatures, with females known for carrying their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets until the eggs hatch. 

Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Trichonephila clavipes)

The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver, also known as the Banana Spider, is one of the more visually striking large spiders in Louisiana. Females are significantly larger than males, with a body length of about 1.5 inches and a leg span that can exceed 5 inches. They are named for the golden-colored silk they produce, which is used to construct their large, intricate webs. 

These spiders are typically found in forests and woodlands, often spinning their webs between trees and shrubs. The webs can be quite extensive, sometimes reaching several feet in diameter. Golden Silk Orb-Weavers are known for their distinctive coloration, with yellow and black markings on their bodies and long, slender legs. They are non-aggressive and pose little threat to humans, with bites being rare and usually resulting in only mild symptoms.

Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis)

The Southern House Spider is commonly found in and around homes in Louisiana. Females are larger than males, with a body length of about 0.75 inches and a leg span that can reach up to 2 inches. These spiders have a dark brown or black coloration and are often mistaken for the more dangerous Brown Recluse Spider due to their similar appearance. 

Southern House Spiders are nocturnal and reclusive, typically hiding in dark, undisturbed areas such as attics, basements, and crawl spaces. They spin messy, tangled webs and wait for prey to become ensnared. These spiders are harmless to humans, and their bites are not medically significant. They play a beneficial role in controlling insect populations around homes.

American Nursery Web Spider (Pisaurina mira)

The American Nursery Web Spider is another large spider species found in Louisiana, with a leg span that can reach up to 3 inches. These spiders are known for their unique reproductive behavior, where females build a nursery web to protect their eggs and newly hatched spiderlings. They have a brownish color with a distinctive pattern on their abdomen. 

American Nursery Web Spiders are typically found near water sources such as ponds, streams, and marshes. They are active hunters, often seen running across the surface of the water to catch prey. These spiders are non-aggressive and pose no threat to humans. Their bites are rare and usually result in minor symptoms. 

Conclusion 

Louisiana's warm climate and diverse habitats provide an ideal environment for a variety of large spider species. The Texas Brown Tarantula, Carolina Wolf Spider, Golden Silk Orb-Weaver, Southern House Spider, and American Nursery Web Spider are among the largest and most fascinating spiders in the region. Despite their size and sometimes fearsome appearance, these spiders play crucial roles in their ecosystems, helping to control insect populations and contributing to the biodiversity of Louisiana.