I warn you! If you suffer from arachnophobia, you might want to avoid this list. After reading this article, you may realize that these creatures are more diverse and fascinating than they seem at first glance. The world of spiders 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 are still not studied by science. Here are a dozen of the most unusual spiders from around the world.
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Whip spider / Argyrodes colubrinus
Found in Australia, this species has a long, thin abdomen resembling the body of a snake, which is why its species is called colubrinus, meaning "serpentine." Such an amazing appearance, again, an example of camouflage. This appearance gives it the appearance of a small twig, which is how it avoids the attention of predators. The whiplash belongs to the same family as the dangerous black widow. The basis of its diet consists of small spiders and insects.
By the way, on our website topcafe.su there is an interesting article about the amazing spiders of Australia.
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Silver spider / Argyroneta aquatica
Better known as the Water Spider or Diving Spider. It lives in ponds, slow-flowing rivers and shallow lakes. The Water Spider creates an underwater shelter with silk and fills it with air that it brings from the surface. It traps air bubbles in the hair that covers its body and paws. Once filled with air, the silk shelter takes on the shape of a bell and becomes silvery, hence the name (Argyroneta means “silver 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 prey on small fish and tadpoles.
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Features of reproduction
During the process of active growth, spiders from time to time shed their tight shell, which consists of a chitinous structure. They gradually acquire a new, stronger one.
Over the entire period of their life, they can molt up to 10 times . Spiders are heterosexual individuals, with the female being much larger than the male.
The mating period lasts quite a long time, its season begins in mid-autumn and lasts until early spring. At this time, the male fills the bulbs, which are located at the ends of the pedipalps, with sperm, then he goes in search of the female.
After performing the “mating dance” and fertilization, the male leaves and dies in the subsequent period.
As soon as 2.5 months have passed, the female lays eggs. After 35 days, spiderlings hatch from them and live in the web until the first molt. Sexual maturity in females occurs at the age of 3-5 years.
Ant jumping spider / Myrmarachne platanoides
One of the most unusual spiders in appearance. Take a look at another case of deception among arthropods. This is a jumping spider that looks like a weaver ant. It is known for its painful bite and for the fact that it produces two different chemicals that increase the pain in the bite wound. Many birds, reptiles, and amphibians avoid encounters with these pseudoants.
Myrmarachne plataleoides is found only in India, China and Southeast Asia, but is not the only species that mimics the ant species. There are many other species 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 our article on TopCafe.
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General signs
As a rule, an ordinary spider has 6 pairs of limbs, but a person can notice only 4 pairs, since the organs of nutrition and touch are formed from the first 2 of them. The animal's body has 2 sections - the cephalothorax and abdomen, which are connected to each other by a thin bridge. If you carefully examine the spider, you will find that the cephalothorax also has a certain division into the chest and head parts using a thin groove. Limbs grow on the chest part, due to which the animal moves and weaves a web.
Interesting fact! Classic spiders always have a spinning organ.
On the head of the spider there are:
- Chelicerae formed by the first pair of limbs.
- Pedipalps formed from the second pair of limbs. They serve for the spider both as an organ of touch and as a tool for catching and holding insects.
- Eyes.
- Oral apparatus.
The majority of species have 8 eyes, although the number of eyes depends on the habitat. So, spiders that live in caves where the sun's rays do not reach do not have eyes as such.
Interesting to know! Oddly enough, the reproductive organs of spiders are also located on the pedipalps.
Smiling spider / Happy face spider
The amazing lines on his yellow belly sometimes take the shape of a smiling face. However, this trait does not exist in all individuals of this species. Some "lucky spiders" may have markings on their faces that resemble different facial emotions. Unfortunately, this cutie is considered critically endangered due to its limited range and the decline of its natural habitat.
The most glamorous
Probably, the main fashionistas among this genus of animals can be called Cosmophasis umbratica. The females of this species of tropical spider are quite simple, but the males are dressed to the nines. Nature has rewarded them with a beautiful shell that reflects ultraviolet light. In other words, it shimmers in the light. And the brighter the spider’s body shines, the more interest it arouses among the opposite sex.
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Kipling's Bagheera / Bagheera kiplingi
Not all spiders are dangerous predators; among them there are quite harmless herbivores. The name of this little Bagheera Kipling was given in honor of the character from The Jungle Book by the Georges, who described this species in 1896.
Up to 90% of the diet consists of Belt bodies and nectar of acacias from the genus Vachellia. But in the hungriest times, individuals can be cannibals.
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Horned Spider / Gasteracantha cancriformis
Gasteracantha cancriformis is a species of orb 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 the Latin words ("crab") and forma ("shape, shape") .
It lives in forest edges and bush gardens. Many studies of this species have been conducted in citrus groves in Florida.
The horned spider's trap is a heavy-duty web in the shape of an almost perfect circle. The peculiarity of the species is that it is not the males who bring the prey, but the females! Its bite is not dangerous to humans, but is very painful.
But read about the most dangerous spiders in the world on our website topcafe.su in this educational material.
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A smile brightens a gloomy day
The smiling spider is the complete opposite of its predecessor. Firstly, it is completely harmless and cannot bring any harm to people, and secondly, the bizarre nature painted a funny smile on the back of this creature as proof of its benevolent disposition.
However, this smile has a certain function. A bright spot on the back causes natural enemies to perceive it as a signal of possible danger. While the insectivorous predator slows down for a few seconds in thought, the smiling spider very quickly retreats to a place where it is not in danger.
Banded Tartar Spider / Lampropelma nigerrimum arboricola
Spiders have become a very popular pet. A very voracious species called the Striped Tarantula Spider is very common in apartments. They have a really great appetite - they need to be fed at least a couple of times a week. The diet of a pet includes beetle larvae, cockroaches, and 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 the tarantula to create conditions that are close to natural.
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The largest family
The jumping spider family includes more than 610 genera and nearly 6,000 individual species. These creatures do not weave a web to lure their victims into it, but, on the contrary, actively participate in hunting, in which their excellent vision helps them. And even before mating, they put on a grandiose show with dizzying jumps and dances.
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Peacock spider / Maratus volans
This bright, fluffy spider is most often found in Australia. Like its feathered namesakes, males are colorful and attractive, while females are very modestly and inconspicuously colored.
A feature of this species is also the mating dances of the males. But if the female does not like the performance, then she simply catches up and eats the dancer-groom. According to the editors of TopCafe, these are the most beautiful spiders in the world.
It is very interesting that this species was called “flying spiders”, because aranchologists believed that the wide colorful abdomen of males is not only a decorative element that attracts females, but also a means of flight. Although this assumption was not confirmed, the name remained.
Champions
Jumping spiders do not amaze with their size, because they barely reach 0.5 cm, but this does not stop them from being amazing. Living in Thailand, these spiders have the same bright colors as the rest of the nature of this country: their bodies shimmer from purple to golden.
Jumping spiders got their name for a reason: these small creatures can jump over a distance of up to 50 cm. If we compare their size with a human, then with such abilities a person could jump from a standstill to a distance of 200 meters!
In order to make such leaps, these creatures resort to the help of hydraulics, probably without even knowing what it is: they pump blood into all their legs, creating excess pressure, and during the jump, a second outflow creates additional buoyant force.
These arachnids use their amazing skill while hunting, quickly overtaking the smallest midges and jumping towards them. In addition, they are able to move along any steep walls and glass, because their miniature paws are equipped with special hairs and microscopic claws that perfectly adhere to even the smoothest surface.
Eriovicia gryffindori
More recently, in 2015, a completely new species of small spiders was discovered in India, which was named 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 really loves the story about the young wizard, and when he saw the insect, first of all, he thought about one of the Hogwarts artifacts.
So far, the way of life of Eriovixia gryffindori has not been studied, but its discovery indicates that our planet is very amazing and still conceals a lot of unknown things.
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 get food. Its dark color helps it blend brilliantly with its surroundings. Light-colored individuals—albinos—are very rare. Over time they shed.
The wolf spider is harmless to humans, however, the bites of its tropical brother can cause dizziness, itching and nausea.
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White karakurt / Latrodectus pallidus
In steppe and desert zones you can find the White karakurt. The insect hunter is not aggressive by nature and is not dangerous to humans. However, its poison can be toxic to children and the elderly. Its large white spherical abdomen and long thin legs easily distinguish it from all other arthropod species.
An encounter with a white spider is often celebrated in folk superstitions as a good sign, because white is not as frightening as black. Therefore, if you see this spider on you, do not rush to kill it, remember - this is good luck!
The most poisonous
The Brazilian wandering spider was included in the Guinness Book of Records for the quality of its venom and ability to strike its victim with lightning speed. This representative of arachnids cannot sit in one place for a long time and does not weave its web, as the thirst for food drives the Brazilian from place to place. But what makes it amazing is not its activity or the speed with which it moves, but the strength of the poison that the salivary glands of this creature can produce.
The thirst for travel often forces the Brazilian to crawl into people's houses, and sometimes hide in clothes or small drawers and boxes. He lives exclusively in America and poses a significant danger. The diet of this representative of arachnids is based on insects and its relatives, but for dessert it does not mind eating bananas. If hunger is very strong, then some small bird may well be suitable as food.
This nocturnal creature is a small predator - the body together with the legs barely exceeds 10 cm, but the highly toxic compound that its poisonous glands produce can be very dangerous for people. After the bite, signs of a common allergy appear, but after half an hour the person becomes extremely ill and develops such severe pain that it is impossible to withstand without special medications.
Of course, Brazilian wandering spiders attack people not in order to eat them (this is too big a prey for it, which can easily trample a small hunter), but for the purpose of self-defense if it is pinned down or pushed into a corner. Most often, attacks on people occur when they are stumbled upon while wearing clothes or shoes. Probably, it was these representatives of arachnids that the ancestors of those who suffer from arachnophobia encountered.
However, science has learned to benefit from this poison: it was found that when minimal doses of the secretion of such poisonous glands are introduced into the blood, erectile function in men is quickly restored.
