Kentucky Is Home to a Tiny Biting Spider That’s Part of the Tarantula Family

Remember the old Jim Stafford song, "Spiders and Snakes"? In it, he sings of his disdain for both. Most people I know lump them together in terms of the "fear factor." Me? I'm afraid of snakes and respectful of spiders. Thankfully (I guess), I see more of the latter.

I saw a lot of the latter a few years ago and had to call an exterminator. Six brown recluse spider encounters in one week will make a phone call like that necessary. What I needed were more wolf spiders; they hunt and kill the bad ones.

Red-Legged Purseweb Spider

I have never, however, laid eyes (in person) on another arachnid that calls Kentucky home. I certainly would have remembered it if I had. It's a red-legged purseweb spider, and it is striking. Some might call it startling or just full-on terrifying. Let's watch one in action.

It's interesting how this spider's design makes it look like it should be bigger than it is. But it's not very big at all, even if it is a member of the tarantula family. I'm also glad our host revealed that its bite will sting. That's good to know. That it isn't venomous is also very good to know.

The Red-Legged Purseweb Spider's Web

Now let me show you one more. I want you to see this video because it showcases the spider's web, which, ahem, does not resemble a purse. But it is an unusual-looking web, one I've never seen before.

If you're arachnophobic, I doubt you'll investigate the red-legged purseweb spider if you encounter one. However, unless it's crawling on something that contrasts with its black frame, you may not see it at all.