The brown recluse spider is often found hiding in dark, undisturbed places such as closets, shoes, or under furniture. Its velvety light brown body blends seamlessly into its surroundings, making it difficult to spot. Unlike most spiders that have eight eyes, the brown recluse has only six eyes arranged in pairs, a distinctive feature of its kind.

Belonging to the genus Loxosceles, this spider is known both for its potent venom and its shy, reclusive nature. While it generally prefers to avoid human contact, accidental encounters can occur and may lead to painful bites. Because of its venomous bite and tendency to remain hidden, the brown recluse is a spider to be aware of, even though it tends to stay out of sight.