14 Amazing Spiders

FASCINATING AND WEIRD SPIDERS

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   Smiling spider

This is an amazing creation of nature-a spider taking the shape of a happy face. It is harmless as it seems. This interesting spider is found in the forests of Hawaii. It has eight legs like many other spiders but its smile makes it special. 

Smiling spider

2. DADDY LONG-LEGS

This species of spider has only two eyes, unlike the other species having six or eight eyes. The spider has very long legs, eight in number, giving it the name, Daddy Long Legs. It is also known as harvestman. It uses it’s fangs to inject venom into its prey to kill it. But they are not harmful to humans.

Daddy long-legs

3. PURSE WEB

They are shiny black spiders, medium in size with an over-sized chelicerae (mouth parts). They have eight sprawling legs and two body parts. They are hatched from eggs and travel long distances in search of females once grown. Instead of weaving a web, they knit a tight and upright silken tube. They feed on insects and small spiders. They bite and are dangerous to those sensitive to spider bites. But for the rest, they cause no harm.

Purse web

4. CRAB SPIDER

This eye catching spider, blending beautifully in its surroundings, among colourful flowers is known as Thomisidae and belongs to the family, Philodromidae. The spider doesn’t build web, but waits for its prey among the flowers. Some species can change colour to match the flower or leaf they sit on. Their 2nd pair of legs is longer than the 1st, 3rd and 4th pair. They are mostly yellow, green, orange, white or grey. They get their name due to their resemblance with crabs.

Crab spider

5. GREEN JUMPING SPIDER

This is an Australian spider from the family Salticidae. The females are 12mm in length. The spider is found in New Guinea, New South Wales and Western Australia. The male spiders have bright and sharp colours. They have long and attractive white “side whiskers” and a topknot of black hairs. Females lack the whiskers and topknot, but have a red and white elegant mask.

Green jumping spider

6. GOLIATH BIRD EATING SPIDER

This weird spider belongs to the Tarantula family. It is found in South American forests. It has a leg span of up to 12 inches. They usually don’t eat birds. But they are seldom found eating a baby bird. Usually they eat mice, mealworms and crickets. They build no web. Their legs make hissing sounds. They are very harmful. On contact, they cause severe irritation to human skin.

Goliath bird eating spider

7. Wasp Spider

Wasp spiders are usually found in Europe. This spider lives in rough grassy lands and makes its web on grass. It makes a beautiful zig-zag web and has a poisonous venom. It captures its prey in its silken web and injects the insect with a paralyzing venom and protein dissolving enzyme. It has a unique black and yellow pattern on its abdomen.

Wasp spider

8. Writing Spider

Spiders no doubt are amazing artists. They build their home skilfully and artistically and have striking coloured abdomen. They get their name as they build their web in a pattern of Zs and Xs down the centre. They bite but are not dangerous. The male spider is much smaller than the female spider in size. He spins a companion web alongside the female spider and then the female lays eggs. The female spider then places her egg sac containing 400-1400 eggs into the web.

Writing spider

9. Fishing Spider

These spiders belong to the family of Pisauridae. It is found near puddles and lakes. It sits quietly waiting for its prey. Once it finds it target, it darts out onto the insect in the water and grabs the prey. They can swim and walk on water.

Fishing spider

10. Huntsman Spider

It belongs to the family of Sparassidae and measures around 4 inches. Different species of the Huntsman Spider are found around the globe. It lives in plants like ivy which offer the spider shelter. They are mostly grey and brown in colour.

Huntsman spider

11. Arrowhead spider

The Arrowhead Spider belongs to the Verrucosa genus. It lives mostly in the forests of America. It’s colourful and beautiful. It has a red head and yellow abdomen which is arrow-shaped, narrow in the front and ending behind two large spread spines. The abdomen has a very attractive and beautiful pattern. It has defensive horns and can be found during spring, summer and fall. It is absolutely harmless to humans but its flower-like appearance often befools insects.

Arrowhead spider

12. Bridge spider

This spider is typically found near bridges and water and hence got its name. It is also known as Gray Cross Spider. It’s a large orb-weaver and loves to live on steel objects. The male spider is smaller than the female. They hide themselves during daytime and catch their prey at night.

Bridge spider

13. Camel spider

This bright and colourful spider is also known as Sun Spider or Wind Scorpion. It belongs to Arachinda order and has around 1000 species in 150 genera. A camel spider can run at 30mph and has a very high pitched scream. They are 7cm in length. Their venom can cause paralysis in 7 out of 10 lizards. They live in deserts and got their name.

Camel spider

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14. Assassin spider

It occurs in Madagascar, Australia and Africa. It eats other spiders and has evolved elongated jaws and necks for catching them. But it is harmless to humans. 

The spider assassin