List of Spiders in Puerto Rico

Native to the island, the common Puerto Rican brown tarantulas are medium-sized terrestrial spiders that typically lives in holes they dig themselves. The tarantula is about 5 inches long with a dark brown body that's covered by shiny hairs called setae. The spiders are nearly blind, but their sensitive hairs allow them to sense the activity of prey and find their location. Common Puerto Rican brown tarantulas commonly prey on insects and small animals like frogs.

Banana spiders are large, brightly colored arachnids found extensively through Puerto Rico. The spiders are sometimes called golden silk spiders because of the shiny yellow webs they spin. Banana spiders thrive in the high humidity and relatively open spaces of places such as Puerto Rico. The arachnids generally live in forest-like areas and along trails. Adult males usually begin appearing in mid-summer, while females come out in the late summer to early autumn.

Cave spiders -- also called tailless whip scorpions, or "guaba" in Spanish -- are an intimidating arachnid species native to Puerto Rico. Cave spiders' bodies are flat with long, whip-like legs. They use their powerful pincher-bearing front legs to catch their prey, usually small animals, frogs and crustaceans. The spiders are among the largest arachnid species, growing between 19 and 25 inches long, including their legs. They typically live in caves or under large rocks and inside crevices. They rarely encounter humans because of their nocturnal nature.

The brown recluse, one of the most dangerous spiders in the U.S., is commonly found in the southcentral and southwestern United States and Puerto Rico. Although their bites can be life-threatening, brown recluses are generally timid and retreat from people if possible. Unlike other arachnids, the spiders hunt small insects a fair distance from their webs. Brown recluse spiders are characterized by their long legs and light tan to dark brown oval-shaped abdomen. On their back is a distinctive violin-shaped mark.

.

Formally called the Tidarren sisyphoides, this arachnid is typically found in Peru, Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico. The spider can also be found in states such as California and Kentucky. Tidarren sisyphoides spiders are tan to orange in color, with thin legs that appear to have dark bands around them. People find the spiders inside gardens, on walls or along cliff faces. Their webs are generally spun into irregular shapes with objects such as plant debris inside.