Goliath Birdeater

Theraphosa blondi

If spiders make you squeamish, you might not want to read much further (though I hope you do!). This spider is... well... really, really big. Like, the size of your hand big.

Goliath Birdeaters have legspans that can reach nearly a foot across, so the Goliath name is well earned. However, despite the name and gigantic size they normally consume insects, and birds are only consumed on rare occasions!

You can find these monster Spiders living in the northern rainforests of South America. They live on the ground, and build burrows for themselves that can go deep into the ground. It will take them several years to reach full maturity, and males have MUCH shorter lifespans than females (who can live up to 25 years!) Part of that probably has to do with the fact that females are known to kill their mates after breeding-- yikes!

Happily, though the Goliath Birdeaters are venomous, their venom is not particularly dangerous to humans. Also, even if they do bite you (normally in self defense) they probably won't even inject any venom.

---

IUCN Status : Not Evaluated
Location : South America
Size : Leg span up to 11in (28cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Arachnida -- Order : Araneae
Family : Theraphosidae -- Genus : Theraphosa -- Species : T. blondi
Image : R. Somma

Read More

Daring Jumping Spider

Phidippus audax

Daring Jumping Spiders are common jumpers in North America. They are large for their family, and are predominantly black with some spots or stripes on the legs and abdomen. They also have incredibly shiny, metallic blue-green mouth parts (called Chelicerae).

Compared to body size, humans can't jump very far. Even the very best long jumpers only make it to distances of 3-4 times their height. The Daring Jumping Spider has us beat for sure! These little 2cm Spiders can leap between 10 and 50 times their own size!

So why do they need to make such gigantic jumps? Well, unlike many other Spiders, the Daring Jumpers do not build webs to hunt. They actively stalk their prey, using their amazing vision (their family has the sharpest eyesight among all Spiders). When they spot a meal, they leap after it from afar.

The spiders also use their great legs and eyes in courtship rituals. They are able to perform different dances, and can be seen from far away. Daring Jumping Spiders do actually build webs, but only for egg laying or shelter purposes.

---

IUCN Status : Not Listed

Location : North America
Size : Length up to 20mm

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Arachnida -- Order : Araneae
Family : Salticidae -- Genus : Phidippus -- Species : P. audax

Read More

Bagheera kiplingi

Bagheera kiplingi

Today's animal is rather unusual-- it has an almost exclusively herbivorous diet, which makes it very unique among the 40,000 different spider species out there!

Bagheera kiplingi was only first discovered in 2008. It is a species of jumping spider that is native to Central America. Like other Jumping Spdiers, it possesses large eyes and the ability to leap large distances (as far as 50 times their body size). Unlike its cousins, however, it does not hunt its food.

B. kiplingi has figured out a way to steal nutritious protein and fat-rich nubs from Acacia trees. These nubs, called Beltian Bodies, are formed due to a symbiotic relationship between the Acacia tree and Ants. The Spiders ignore the Ants that guard the Bodies, and feed almost exclusively on the nubs. I say "almost exclusively" because the Spiders do sometimes feed on the Ant larvae as well, but it is a very small percentage of their diet.

B. kiplingi exhibits sexual dimorphism-- the males have a dark greenish cephalothorax, while the female's is reddish brown. Females also have much larger abdomens.

And for those who were curious, Bagheera kiplingi is named after the Panther in Kipling's The Jungle Book and Kipling himself. The Genus named was derived back in 1896 by George and Elizabeth Peckham. They named a handful of other genera after Kipling characters as well.

---

IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Central America
Size : Length around 2cm

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Arachnida -- Order : Araneae
Family : Salticidae -- Genus : Bagheera -- Species : B. kiplingi

Read More

North American Tarantulas

Did you know that there are over 850 species of Tarantula, spread across a dozen subfamilies and nearly 100 different genera. That is a lot of spiders! Because covering hundreds of spiders that like around the world is a pretty daunting task, today we’ll just learn about those critters that reside in the genus Aphonopelma, the North American Tarantulas.

Narrowing down to one genus still leaves up with around 90 species, but many of those are poorly studied and we know little about them. There are also many problems with the taxonomy and what we know about specific species identification and distribution. What we do know is that just about every species of Tarantula in North America belongs in this grouping, along with many from Central America. There are about four dozen in the United States alone.

We also know that like the Tarantulas in Africa, South America, and other parts of the world, members of genus Aphonopelma do not spin webs. They actually hunt down their prey. This does not mean these spiders lack the ability to spin, however. They live in burrows and will often create trip-wires that alert them to the movement of prey around their home. The venom of these Tarantulas is poisonous, but causes little damage to humans. It is similar to being stung by a bee!  

Aphonopelma Tarantula

The Aphonopelma Tarantulas build their burrows in areas that correspond to their habitat. For example, the spiders of the American Southwest build their burrows in the foothills and desert basins. In order to reproduce, the male Tarantulas must first deposit sperm by rubbing his abdomen on a woven surface that he created. He then picks up the sperm with strange syringe like parts within small arm-like appendages called pedipalps. Once that is done, he lures a mate and then places the pedipalps into pouches in her abdomen. The female will then lay an egg sac which can contain upwards of 2,000 tiny spiders!

Aphonopelma Tarantulas are not threatened, though it is hard to say that for sure due to the little study and taxonomic uncertainties. Some species, like A. chalcodes, are kept as pets due to their docile nature and their ability to live as long as 20 years! 

---

IUCN Status : Not Listed

Location : North America, parts of Central America

Size : Body length up to 4in (10cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Arachnida -- Order : Araneae
Family : Theraphosidae -- Subfamily : Theraphosinae -- Genus : Aphonopelma

Read More

Ladybird Spider

Eresus cinnaberinus

It seems like there are so many spiders out there with awesome looking appearances. Like the Happy Face Spider, or even the iconic Black Widow. The Ladybird Spider is yet another interestingly "dressed" arachnid; adult males have a bright red abdomen with black spots that quite resemble Ladybirds!

Females are actually about twice the size of males, and are a black, velvety color. Young males resemble the females, and it only obtain their bright colors when they have reached full adulthood.

Both males and females build tube-like burrows in the ground, placing webs externally. They use these to capture other insects in order to feed. Ladybird Spiders thrive in dry climates, and won't even breed if it is too wet of a year! If breeding is to happen, the male leaves his burrow in search of a mate. (Some females can reach four years or older without ever leaving their burrow, and they can live as long as 8 years!)

Once mating takes place, an egg cocoon is laid, which the female keeps with her in her burrow. Once the young hatch, they will remain with their mother through the winter, and finally they will consume her when she dies in the spring.

---

IUCN Status : Not Listed

Location : Europe

Size : Females up to .8in (2cm) long

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Arachnida -- Order : Araneae
Family : Eresidae -- Genus : Eresus -- Species : E. cinnaberinus

Read More

Happy Face Spider

Theridion grallator

What an amazing looking spider! Theridion grallator, also known as the Happy Face Spider, is a remarkable looking arachnid found in Hawaii. Though keep in mind, not all individuals have such distinctive markings; the species varies from island to island, with some having no happy faces at all!

Some scientists think that the Happy Face Spider may have evolved it markings to ward off birds and other potential predators, but not one really knows for sure yet. Happy Face Spiders live on leaves, and spin webs. Interestingly, the females will guard their eggs before they hatch.

Though they are not listed yet by the IUCN, Happy Face Spiders are becoming threatened. They live only on very specific islands, whose fauna are at risk from introduced species.

---

IUCN Status :  Not Listed
Location : Hawaii

Size : Body length about 5mm

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Arachnida -- Order : Araneae
Family : Theridiidae -- Genus : Theridion -- Species : T. grallator

Read More

Giant Huntsman Spider

Giant Huntsman Spider

Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Arachnida
Order : Araneae
Family : Sparassidae
Genus : Heteropoda
Species : maxima

Legspan : 12in (30cm)
Body Size : 2in (4.7cm)

IUCN Status : Not Listed

The Giant Huntsman Spider is a newly identified species that was first discovered in the Mekong region in 2001. It has the largest legspan of any spider species yet uncovered (though since 2001 we've found over 1,000 new species in the Mekong alone, so who knows!)

Despite its scary huge size, the Giant Huntsman Spider is not dangerous to humans. They get their name from the fact that they stalk and hunt down their prey (insects, small vertebrates); they are also quite fast on their long, gangly legs.

Giant Huntsman Spiders are not venomous, and a bite from them will just give you a regular old spider bite.

Read More

Black Widow

Black Widows are spiders that belong to the genus Latrodectus. Species of within this genus can be found in tropical and temperate climates around the world. In the United States, Latrodectus hesperus is one of the best known. It lives in the western parts of the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

(Image Source)

All species of widow are venomous, with the females being more potent than the males, and having much larger venom glands. The bite of a Black Widow  is 15 times more potent than that of a Rattlesnake and is responsible for the condition known as Latrodectism (named for the genus.) Females are also larger than the males, and often have a red, hour-glass shaped mark on their abdomen. Both males and females range from brown to black in overall color.

Widows are so named because of the cannibalistic behavior that they exhibit during the mating process. After mating is complete, the male is sometimes killed and consumed. Cannibalism is further witnessed in the spiderling stage. Females will lay hundreds of eggs, but very few young will hatch and actually survive to adulthood due to consumption of one another.

Black Widows typically feed off of other insects, capturing them in their extremely strong webs and then injecting the prey with enzymes that will liquefy their insides. The spiders are then able to drink up the fluids.

Read More

Wolf Spider

The Tarantula Wolf Spider, Lycosa tarantula is the very first spider to ever be given the name "Tarantula," due to its native habitat around Taranto, Italy. Interestingly, what many non-Europeans consider to be Tarantulas are not even within the same taxonomic family as the genus Lycosa, and are instead their own distinct family, Theraphosidae. Tarantula Wolf Spiders are often simply called Wolf Spiders because of this.

Image from Wikimedia Commons

There are over 200 species within Lycosa alone, and several hundred more spread throughout the family Lycosidae. Wolf Spiders are large (some can grow to 2 inches) and are distinguished by their large eyes positioned centrally on their heads. Like all spiders, they have two body segments, and eight legs. They are (mostly) diurnal, ground dwelling spiders that hunt down their prey. This differentiates them from many other spider types, as they do not use webs. Another interesting trait is that the females actually carry their egg sacs with them, holding their abdomens up high so they do not hit the ground.

Wolf Spiders are actually really awesome to have around! They are wonderful hunters and can keep pest levels down. They are almost always found outdoors, though sometimes they'll end up inside by accident. If you find one, don't kill it! They can be herded into containers and transported back outside, where they are sure to keep away centipedes, beetles, cockroaches, and all sorts of other arthropods.

Wolf Spiders are abundant. Lycosidae has members across the world, and more than 125 species in the United States alone. Wolf Spiders have been known to bite humans, though it is rare and typically only happens when they are directly handled. They are poisonous, but it is mild and gives a similar reaction to a bee sting.

Read More

Brazilian Wandering Spider

Brazilian Wandering Spider is a blanket term for the eight species contained within the genus Phoneutria. There are actually relatively few species of spider that pose serious threats to humans.... and these are some of them. Members of this genus are responsible for more human deaths than any other spiders. But remain calm! All members of the genus are native to specific forest and rainforest areas in Central and South America. (Though one did show up in some fruit packaging in Tulsa last year...) They are relatively large spiders on top of being incredibly venomous. Leg spans of the species range between 4 and 5 inches, and body size is 1-2in.

Image from Really Good Magazine

Brazilian Wandering Spiders get their name because they actually move about and hunt actively on the forest floor, rather than residing in nests or webs. This is one of the reasons why they are dangerous to humans. They are nocturnal creatures and thus need a place to hide out during the day. This sometimes leads them to human populated areas, where they may bite if startled.

Though they do not normally build webs, they still have the ability to produce silk, which is used to assist in climbing, to wrap prey, and to build egg sacs. The spiders feed on insects, small reptiles and mice. Their venom is a powerful neurotoxin and contains high levels of serotonin. The toxin shuts down primary functions, while the serotonin moves strait to the brain, causing pain and tremors. The bite also has the side effect of causing painful erections in men. This interesting development has led to pharmaceutical companies doing testing on the venom for ED treatments. There has been an anti-venom for the spider bites since 2004.

Read More