I warn you! If you suffer from arachnophobia, you better not see this list. After reading this article, you can understand that these creatures are more diverse and adorable than they seem at first glance. The spider world will never cease to amaze us! They are one of the most widespread predators in the world, adapted to almost all existing habitats. Of course, this led to the emergence of a huge number of species, many of which have not yet been studied by science.
Here are a dozen of the most unusual spiders from around the world.
1
Bird dung crab spider
This species has one of the best camouflages of all living organisms: its body is covered with drops and warts, which give it the appearance of fresh bird droppings. Disguise has a double function. She makes him a rather unappetizing prey for most predators, especially the birds themselves. It is also a bait for small, excrement-loving insects. The spider feeds on them. These amazing arthropods are found in Asia, from Indonesia to Japan.
2
Argiopa lobular
The spider, resembling a squash in appearance, lives in the desert and steppe regions of the southwest of Eurasia and in North Africa. The size of the spider is only 1.5 cm. Its distinctive feature is the unusual structure of the abdomen with small uniform protrusions along the entire perimeter. Argiope is very similar in color to a shell. From above, the body is covered with silvery hairs, which makes it shiny and helps to lure prey into cobwebs. The bite of a squash spider is not dangerous for humans, but grasshoppers and other insects cannot leave its nets alive.
Whipling Spider / Argyrodes colubrinus
Found in Australia, this species has a long, slender abdomen that resembles the body of a snake, hence the variety is called colubrinus, which means "serpentine." Such an amazing appearance, again, an example of camouflage. This kind gives the resemblance to a small twig, this is how it avoids the attention of predators. Whiplash belongs to the same family as the dangerous black widow. The basis of his diet is small spiders, insects.
By the way, on our website topcafe.su there is an interesting article about the amazing spiders in Australia.
3
Apulian tarantula
The Apulian tarantula is a pretty scary guy that lives mainly in southern Europe. These spiders up to 3 centimeters long are very much loved in Hollywood: special effects specialists place such a spider in the frame when, according to the scenario, a poisonous monster threatens the hero or grows to a huge size in order to terrorize the whole city.
But appearances are deceiving. Although the Apulian tarantula can indeed bite a person, its venom has very low toxicity, and some daredevils even keep them as pets. However, after such a bite, you may develop a minor skin rash or inflammation of the eyes and nose.
By the way, it was recently discovered that this species of tarantula does not even belong to tarantulas (Theraphosidae), but belongs to the family of wolf spiders (Lycosidae).
Silver Spider / Argyroneta aquatica
More commonly known as the Water Spider or Diving Spider. Inhabits water bodies, rivers with slow currents and shallow lakes. The Water Spider creates an underwater shelter with silk and fills it with the air it brings from the surface. It traps air bubbles in the hair that covers its body and legs.After filling with air, the silk shelter takes on the shape of a bell and becomes silvery, this is the reason for the name (Argyroneta means "silvery net").
Argyroneta aquatica spends most of its time inside the bell, it only needs to replenish the air from time to time. It feeds on any aquatic invertebrates and various larvae; they also hunt small fish and tadpoles.
4
Golden steed
The same cute creature as the previous representative. A tiny spider up to 5 mm in size has short legs, equal in size to the abdomen, cephalothorax. It attracts attention with its unusual purple-golden color. The body literally shimmers in the sun.
Interesting!
This tiny, beautiful creature can jump 100 times its body size.
It lives in the wild, it is absolutely safe for humans. It feeds on small insects, caterpillars, beetle larvae.
Jumping Ant Spider / Myrmarachne plataleoides
Another case of deception among arthropods. In this case, it is a jumping spider that looks like a weaver ant. It is known for its painful bite and also for the fact that it produces two different chemicals that increase the pain of a bite wound. Many birds, reptiles, amphibians avoid encounters with these pseudo-ants.
Myrmarachne plataleoides is found only in India, China and Southeast Asia, but it is not the only species to mimic the ant species. Many other species can be found in the tropics that mimic many different types of insects.
Do you know why insects are so important? If not, then be sure to read this article.
5
Agriopa Brunnich
Agriopa can be safely attributed to the number of the most beautiful spiders. Due to its striking appearance, it is also called the wasp spider. Females of this species are colored in yellow-black stripes and patterns. They have long legs and an elongated oval abdomen, very similar to that of a wasp. Agriop males have a rounded body and a nondescript gray-brown coloration. Meeting with them can end with a painful bite, from which there is swelling and slight inflammation.
Spiders inhabit sunny meadows and forest edges from Southern Europe to East Asia. They are found in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, China, Korea and North African countries. You can recognize agriopa by the characteristic circular web, through which a zigzag strip passes.
Smiling spider / Happy face spider
The striking lines on its yellow belly sometimes take the form of a smiling face. However, this trait does not exist in all individuals of this species. Some "happy spiders" may have facial markings that resemble various emotions on the face. Unfortunately, this cutie is considered endangered due to its limited range and the reduction in its natural habitat.
8 sicarius hahni (six-eyed sand spider)
The power of the poison of this handsome man is in no way inferior to the Black Widow, and an antidote for him has never been invented. Fortunately, he is not looking for meetings with a person and at the moment there has been only one case of death from his bite. He got the name for his habit of hiding in the sand, from where he monitors the movement of potential victims. Meeting with him for most insects means only death. The beautiful body of a sand spider looks like a small pancake with four pairs of legs.
Bagheera kiplingi
Not all spiders are dangerous predators; among them there are quite harmless herbivores. The name of this baby Bagheera Kipling was given in honor of the character of the "Jungle Book" by the George couple, who described this species in 1896.
Up to 90% of the diet consists of Belta calves and nectar of acacia from the genus Vachellia. But in the most hungry times, individuals can be cannibals.
7
Horned Spider / Gasteracantha cancriformis
Gasteracantha cancriformis is a type of ball-shaped spider (family Araneidae). The genus name Gasteracantha comes from the Greek words γαστήρ (gaster, "belly") and ἄκανθα (acantha, "thorn"), while the specific epithet cancriformis comes from Latin words ("crab") and forma ("form, form") ...
He lives in forest edges and shrub gardens. Many studies of this species have been conducted in citrus groves in Florida.
The horned spider's trap is a heavy-duty net that is shaped like a nearly perfect circle. The peculiarity of the species is that the prey is brought not by males, but by females! His bite is not dangerous for a person, but very painful.
But read about the most dangerous spiders in the world on our website topcafe.su in this informative material.
8
Eight Point Crab Spider
Platythomisus octomaculatus is one of the brightest spiders around. With a bright yellow body and black spots, he looks like he's dressed up in a ladybug costume for Halloween.
This spider, discovered in a forest reserve in Singapore in 1924, lives in the foliage of small trees and has only rarely caught sight of people since then. It is one of the largest species of crab spider, about 2.5 cm long. Scientists today believe that it may be on the verge of extinction.
Striped Tarantula / Lampropelma nigerrimum arboricola
Spiders have become a very popular pet. A very voracious species called the Striped tarantula spider is very common in apartments. Their appetite is really notable - you need to feed them at least a couple of times a week. The pet's diet includes beetle larvae, cockroaches, adults are able to cope with small frogs.
Despite the fact that the spider is very aggressive, it usually shows its character in times of danger.
At home, it is very important for a tarantula to create conditions close to natural ones.
9
Metallica Poecilotheria metallica
Another representative of tarantulas. At the sight of this beautiful creature, it is impossible to take your eyes off. A desirable piece for every collector. The large size with bright colors makes the spider the most beautiful rare in the world. The size is about 22 cm, the pile is a pleasant blue color, the abdomen, the cephalothorax with a metallic sheen, yellow spots on the legs and back. Words cannot describe this beauty, it must be seen. The photo is available below.
Interesting!
It is also surprising that in their natural environment tarantulas are able to weave fishing nets with a diameter of up to 2 m. Fishermen use them to catch fish. Nets are also capable of keeping birds, which are often prey to large predators.
Peacock Spider / Maratus volans
This colorful fluffy spider is most commonly found in Australia. Like its feathered namesakes, males are colorful and attractive, and females are very modestly and inconspicuously colored.
A special feature of this species is also the mating dances of males. But if the female does not like the performance, then she simply catches up and eats the groom dancer. According to the editorial staff of TopCafe, these are the most beautiful spiders in the world.
It is very interesting that this species was named "flying spiders", since the aranchologists considered that the wide colorful abdomen of males is not only a decorative element that attracts females, but also a means for flying. Although this assumption was not confirmed, the name remained.
7.Misumena vatia (Mizumena clubfoot)
This small spider stands out from the rest. Like all members of the crab spider family, he does not use cobwebs to catch prey. He, like a real predator, ambushes and attacks his future food, immobilizing it with his paws and trying to inject poison. The main help in hunting is its ability to change color depending on the environment. This allows him to be called one of the most beautiful spiders in the world.
Eriovixia gryffindori
More recently, in 2020, a completely new species of small spiders was discovered in India, which got its name after the Sorting Hat from the wizarding world of Harry Potter.This baby got its name due to its appearance. As one of the members of the group that discovered this species admitted, he is very fond of the story of the young wizard, and when he saw the insect, first of all, he thought about one of the artifacts of Hogwarts.
So far, the way of life of Eriovixia gryffindori has not been studied, but its discovery indicates that our planet is very amazing and conceals with itself a lot of unknowns.
11
Wolf Spider / Lycosidae
One of the few species that does not weave a web, and its developed jaws, fast legs and excellent eyesight help it to get food. The dark color helps it blend in brilliantly with its surroundings. Light albinos are very rare. They will shed over time.
A wolf spider is harmless to humans, however, the bites of its tropical brother can cause dizziness, itching and nausea.
12
The most beautiful spiders in the world
The sight of these creatures makes many feel uncomfortable. The body of spiders consists of a cephalothorax and an abdomen, to which eight dexterous and very fast legs are attached. On the cephalothorax, they have from two to eight eyes located in front and on the sides.
It is difficult to say which spider is the most beautiful, because they are all very different from each other. Their appearance is very different and depends on the way of life and habitat. Some of them prefer to disguise themselves as their environment in order to be invisible to prey and enemies. With various outgrowths and patterns, they can imitate branches, leaves, soil and even bird droppings, as the pasilobus does. Other spiders are brightly colored, differing from the general background. They usually use this technique to confuse the enemy or warn about their poisonousness.
There are many interesting features in the arsenal of spiders. They can be hairy and naked, colorful or nondescript, and some even resemble other animals. Below is a list of the most beautiful spiders on the planet:
- peacock spider;
- eight-point crab spider;
- mirror spider;
- black eresus;
- argiope Brunnich;
- orb-web nephila;
- metal woody tarantula;
- mizumena clubfoot.
White Karakurt / Latrodectus pallidus
In the steppe and desert zones, you can find the White Karakurt. The insect hunter is by nature not aggressive and not dangerous to humans. However, its poison can be toxic for children and the elderly. Its large white spherical abdomen and long slender legs easily distinguish it from all other arthropod species.
A meeting with a white spider is very often noted in folk omens as a good sign, because white is not as frightening as black. Therefore, if you see this spider on yourself, do not rush to kill him, remember - this is good luck!
Sydney leukopauta spider
Spiders that weave webs are found in many parts of the world, but the scariest one is the Sydney leukopaut spider Atrax robustus, which lives 160 kilometers from Sydney, Australia. These creatures have a body measuring only 3.5 centimeters.
But the spider, which looks a bit like a tiny black leather glove clenched into a fist, has a property that is more intimidating than any huge arthropod: these spiders are extremely aggressive and venomous, and the males have very strong fangs. A spider bite can be fatal unless immediate action is taken.
