Wolf Spider VS Brown Recluse - How to Spot the Difference!

What's this spider you've found? Should you be worried? I've worked with tons of spiders in my career, and one of the most common mistakes I see are all the incorrect IDs of brown recluses. This video should hopefully help make it easier to tell if the spider you're looking at is a venomous recluse or a harmless little guest.

Here at MyWildBackyard we're all about finding adventures that make us feel alive. One day I want to be a world class wildlife expert, and I'm chasing my dream one adventure at a time. Come along and join me for some incredible encounters as we discover the natural world together.

Always use caution when exploring your backyard. Read up and educate yourself on dangerous species in your area, and know not to touch them. Contact local wildlife experts if a dangerous animal is causing problems where you live.

My Field Equipment (This section includes affiliate links, buying any of the products using the links below helps support the channel, update equipment and pay for production trips to get more epic wildlife videos!)

Main Camera: iPhone 13 Pro Max
Backup Camera: iPhone SE 2nd Gen
Macro Lens - SANDMARC iPhone 13 Pro Max Edition

Special thanks to these tracks and their artists for making this movie possible:

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

[ghw]

I have never been bitten by a wolf spider, but a recluse got me on my left forearm. The biting stung and that was it until the next morning when my arm was a deep purple from my fingertips to my elbow. There is no antivenom, so I was given a shot and then antibiotics for a month. This is a very informative video.

[anthnyjohn]

We need to make a gofundme page for this amazing guy! Let’s make his dreams come true 😊😝

[JohannVonVorst]

Bro I love that wolf spider venom video and seeing just how reluctant that thing was to bite. They’re one of my favorite animals now. Also wild just how successful of a survival strategy they’ve got. Seems like wandering spiders, lil funnel web spiders, nursery web spiders, jumping spiders, and kinda fishing spiders are all generally the same thing with some minor bonus adaptations

[grimandbilly]

My dad got bit by a brown recluse. It felt like a bite at first but then the bite which was on his arm was starting to travel towards his heart a day later. He went to a doctor who diagnosed him and confirmed it. The doctor also said if he didn't come in it could have been fatal.

[IgonDrakeWarrior]

Great video. I love your compassion for these animals. I’m terrified of them but it is what it is.

[maryb.]

Oh my gosh I was so excited that you used my comments in your video!! That's probably the closest I'll ever come to being famous 😄
Seriously, another outstanding video! I love how you offer common sense advice about how to avoid getting bitten, while at the same time showing we shouldn't live in terror of these creatures. Keep up the great work!! 👍👍

[AdamLH]

Ok completely off topic but I love wolf spiders and the way females carry their babies around on their back ❤ so cute

[Ezekiel]

I will never understand how you can walk through the forest or bush in shorts, the risk of an insect getting on your leg unnoticed is too great! respect 👍

[WildEncountersTV]

Yes! Loved the comparison video! I have to admit I didn't know brown recluses only had 6 eyes, that's insane! If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone I know, say a brown recluse bite could rot a limb off, I would be rolling in money. Glad you gave the PSA on what really could cause a bite to get bad, especially if you aren't aware you got bit and just keep scratching the wound. All that bacteria under your nails...yikes! Loved the spider closeups with that text format! The energy in your words and emotions is top notch! Stoked for more content!

[rileylarue]

your passion and knowledge are incredible and amazing teaching skills. quality video definitely subscribing to see what’s next

[carolcarrone]

This is all good to know about, and even better to see them at a distance via internet. Hope to never see any in person. Thanks for the teaching! 👏👏🕷🕷🕷

[rutpug]

really love the content, it's fun watching someone very passionate make videos you can tell they enjoyed making. you're very knowledgeable and have lots of dedication, hope to see this channel blow up like it deserves to

[Jimndonna]

You are very intelligent! I hate spiders but can’t help but watch. You are so knowledgeable. I would give you 100 likes if I could. Keep making videos.

[temjiu]

With the brown recluse, It makes you wonder if it's not the poison, then perhaps there's an aspect of their poison that can attract necrotic bacteria, or create a positive environment for said bacteria? That would explain how it's difficult to isolate the cause.

[DeactivatedCharcoal]

I see Brown Recluse spiders (and Black Windows) all the time in Kansas. The Wolf spiders are quick and make a dash for cover before you see them.

[Ghettodachoppa-kfml]

I live on a small island and the biggest spider I have seen is a dock spider or wolf spider just bigger than a inch in diameter legs out. I love it here, nothing dangerous but shy wolves bears and dangerous mother Moose. From Moose Factory, ON Canada. Cree of the Moose Cree First Nation. Take care everyone.

[Texasmilitarydepartmentvid]

A Rabid Wolf Spider, Brown Trantula or Hobo Spider is like getting stung by a Red Wasp. A bite from a Brown Recluse or Brown Widow will actually liquefy or rot out the skin it's venom makes red blood cells burst . The only way these Spiders will kill you is if you have an allergic reaction.

[Renaldo]

Excellent video. Keep up the great work.

[Leatherface.]

Thanks man
Good to know

I won’t sleep at night now

Cardboard
Wow

[joeylawn]

Good point about the possibility of the necrosis from a Brown Recluse not being from the venom. I've long suspected that it's at least possible that instead of venom, it's Bacteria.