Western lynx spider (Oxyopes scalaris)
The western lynx spider is a spider in the family Oxyopidae that is not dangerous to people. GBIF holds 1,446 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 26 states, most of all California (1,123), Oregon (57) and Idaho (49). Its observation records peak in April.
Oxyopes scalaris, the western lynx spider, is a species of lynx spider in the family Oxyopidae. It is found in North America. A study based in Washington found that this species reaches adulthood and is most active in spring and early summer.
From Wikipedia: Oxyopes scalaris, text under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is the western lynx spider poisonous or venomous?
Not in any medically significant way. Like almost all spiders the western lynx spider (family Oxyopidae) has venom for its prey, but it is not a widow or recluse, the two U.S. groups whose bites need medical attention.
Which states have the western lynx spider?
The western lynx spider's U.S. record is concentrated: California alone holds 78% of licensed records. It is listed in 26 states in all; the next are Oregon (57), Idaho (49) and Ohio (25).
| # | State | Records | Share of state spiders | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,123 | 2.3% | 6th of 309 |
| 2 | Oregon | 57 | 2.0% | 9th of 88 |
| 3 | Idaho | 49 | 9.4% | 3rd of 56 |
| 4 | Ohio | 25 | 0.4% | 58th of 332 |
| 5 | Washington | 22 | 0.6% | 36th of 157 |
| 6 | Utah | 20 | 0.8% | 15th of 97 |
| 7 | Texas | 16 | 0.1% | 168th of 386 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 12 | 0.5% | 46th of 127 |
| 9 | Colorado | 11 | 0.3% | 36th of 378 |
| 10 | Illinois | 11 | 0.1% | 184th of 243 |
| 11 | Montana | 11 | 0.5% | 21st of 75 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 10 | 0.8% | 28th of 71 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 10 | 0.1% | 87th of 164 |
| 14 | Arizona | 8 | 0.2% | 58th of 162 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 8 | 0.3% | 66th of 145 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 7 | 0.2% | 87th of 149 |
| 17 | New York | 6 | 0.1% | 96th of 149 |
| 18 | Connecticut | 4 | 0.4% | 42nd of 86 |
| 19 | Nevada | 4 | 0.7% | 19th of 47 |
| 20 | Michigan | 3 | 0.1% | 74th of 122 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | 2 | 0.0% | 121st of 189 |
| 22 | New Mexico | 2 | 0.1% | 125th of 247 |
| 23 | South Dakota | 2 | 1.0% | 18th of 29 |
| 24 | Virginia | 2 | 0.0% | 161st of 176 |
| 25 | Maryland | 1 | 0.0% | 136th of 153 |
| 26 | Wyoming | 1 | 0.5% | 20th of 68 |
When is the western lynx spider seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the western lynx spider run mostly January through July, peaking in April with 25% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 12% of them.
Season by state
Among states whose main season falls within one calendar year, it starts earliest in January (California) and latest in March (Idaho and Oregon). The most common peak month is May, shared by Idaho and Oregon.
| State | Main season | Peak month | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | January through June | April | 1,090 |
| Oregon | March through July | May | 57 |
| Idaho | March through July | May | 49 |
Where the western lynx spider is recorded in each state
California
California holds 1,123 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 309 spiders listed there. Its observation records in California run mostly January through June, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Solano County, Santa Clara County and Santa Barbara County. Next come Sonoma County (63) and Los Angeles County (33).
Oregon
Oregon holds 57 licensed records, the 9th most recorded of 88 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Oregon run mostly March through July, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Jackson County, Lane County and Multnomah County. Next come Grant County (4) and Hood River County (4).
Idaho
Idaho holds 49 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 56 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Idaho run mostly March through July, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Latah County, Ada County and Canyon County. Next come Nez Perce County (1).
Top counties in the U.S.
| # | County | State | Records | Share of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solano County | California | 612 | 42.3% |
| 2 | Santa Clara County | California | 83 | 5.7% |
| 3 | Santa Barbara County | California | 68 | 4.7% |
| 4 | Sonoma County | California | 63 | 4.4% |
| 5 | Latah County | Idaho | 36 | 2.5% |
| 6 | Los Angeles County | California | 33 | 2.3% |
| 7 | Marin County | California | 29 | 2.0% |
| 8 | Sacramento County | California | 26 | 1.8% |
| 9 | Contra Costa County | California | 24 | 1.7% |
| 10 | Napa County | California | 17 | 1.2% |
| 11 | Mariposa County | California | 14 | 1.0% |
| 12 | Alameda County | California | 11 | 0.8% |
| 13 | Jackson County | Oregon | 11 | 0.8% |
| 14 | San Diego County | California | 10 | 0.7% |
| 15 | Lane County | Oregon | 10 | 0.7% |
How recent are the western lynx spider records?
Most of what is known about the western lynx spider is recent: 94% of dated U.S. records were made in 2017–2026, and half date from 2024 or later. The oldest dated record is from 1927; the busiest year was 2024, with 349 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 1 | 0.1% |
| 1970s | 4 | 0.3% |
| 1980s | 9 | 0.6% |
| 1990s | 15 | 1.0% |
| 2000s | 14 | 1.0% |
| 2010s | 130 | 8.8% |
| 2020s | 1,296 | 88.2% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 34 counties where the western lynx spider is most recorded, 22 are also top counties for the bold jumper, more than for any other spider. None of its closest neighbors is venomous.
| Species | Shared counties |
|---|---|
| Bold jumper | 22 |
| Zebra spider | 21 |
| Johnson jumper | 19 |
| Garden spider | 18 |
| Longbodied cellar spider | 17 |
| Dysdera crocata | 16 |
| Goldenrod crab spider | 16 |
| Pelegrina aeneola | 16 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other species of the genus Oxyopes with profiles here: Striped lynx spider.
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GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.