California spiders

Californian climate is conducive to some of the most commonly occurring spiders in the United States. It is dry and hot giving them optimum environment to breed and reproduce. Unfortunately, this may not be good news for residents of the golden city. But if you know what you are dealing with it may make the proximity of these eight legged creatures easier to bear.

Common California spiders

The tarantula

The California tarantula is nocturnal in nature and it is ground dwelling. It is a member of the Aphonopelma grouping of spiders which means it hunts on the ground. It mainly feeds on beetles, lizards, scorpions, other spiders and mice that it runs down. It is black to brown in color with a furry exoskeleton. The California tarantula has venom which can result in a severe allergic reaction in human beings. It uses it venom to paralyze its prey before killing it and eating it and this is why it can prey on creatures far larger than itself.

The yellow sac spider

This species of spider is common in California and love to find shelter indoors making its sac web in the elevated corners of a structure. The yellow sac spider is not venomous but it does bite and sometimes its bite can leave an ulcer that will take longer to heal. It is characterized by yellow coloring and black feet.

The black widow spider

The black widow can survive the very hot and dry weather conditions of California which is why it is popularly found in the state. California is popular for its grape vineyards which attract one particular genus of black widow spider: the Latrodectus genus. This is the most common type of black widow spider in California and it is found mainly in the vineyards. It may find its way indoor and its bite can trigger anaphylactic shock in people who are allergic to its venom.

Apart from the black widow spider you can also expect the brown widow spider in California. It is more timid than its black cousin and also it injects less venom but its venom is just as potent with similar results.

Wolf spider

Wolf spiders are nocturnal hunters and they derive their name from their hunting mannerisms. They do not spin webs and wait for prey instead they stalk their prey just like wolves, lay in wait and pounce on them when the time is right. In the California weather they burrow underground and only emerge in the night. They are ground hunters as well. Their bite is not venomous but it can be uncomfortable.

Conclusion

These are some of the common spiders you can expect to find in California. This is not the exhaustive list but these are the ones to look out for the most.