Spiders are a rare exception in nature, when a whole detachment of animals is obligate predators. All species of spiders, except for one, feed only on living organisms, which they themselves catch. Dead insects and small animals are not of interest to arthropods.

On a note!

Scientists believe that there are 42,000 species of spiders living on the planet today. But how many spiders are in the world, in fact, no one can say with certainty. Even today, small species of animals are discovered almost every year, and there are still enough forests and jungles that have not been fully explored on the planet. Spiders are masters of disguise.

Varieties of spiders differ from each other in size, length of legs, shape and size of chelicerae, and toxicity. The spider may be covered with bristles or be smooth. Can weave a trapping web or dig minks. But all kinds of spiders have common signs, allowing them to be attributed to the order of arachnids.

General morphology

Interesting!

Real spiders are always equipped with spinning glands.

At the head office are:

  • the first pair of limbs, transformed into chelicerae;
  • the second pair of limbs are pedipalps, which perform the functions of touch and help the spider catch and hold prey;
  • eyes;
  • mouth opening.

The last group suggests that not all breeds of spiders have been discovered by scientists yet. It's hard to see a fast spider if you don't even suspect that it's there.

deadly poisonous

In most cases, spiders do not pose any danger to humans. Unless they get bored with weaving cobwebs in the corners. But classification according to the degree of toxicity is more practical, since there are some species that are deadly even for humans.

  • black widows, including karakurt;
  • Brazilian running spiders;
  • brown recluse spider.

Black widows are so named because the female eats the male after mating. Spiders of this genus are distributed on all continents. Prey is caught using the web as a lasso. Not all species of this genus are dangerous to humans. The American black widow received the greatest celebrity.

North American black widow

There are 5 species of black widows on the northern continent. The main color of these spiders is black with red spots on the abdomen.

This genus of spiders can be distinguished by feature: long paws which are clearly visible in the photograph.

The name of the spider is of Turkic origin and in Russian means "black worm". The "classic" black karakurt Latrodectus tredecimguttatus lives in the southern regions of the continent, including the Mediterranean and Crimea. In connection with global warming, it began to come across in Azerbaijan, Altai and Novosibirsk region. The ideal habitat for this karakurt spider is Warm autumn and hot summer.

The name and photo of the spiders are somewhat inconsistent: this type of karakurt has large red spots on the dorsal side of the abdomen. Coloration can vary greatly: Eurasian species interbreed and the spider can be pure black.

On a note!

There is a white karakurt (Latrodectus pallidus). Since white karakurts look uncharacteristic for these types of arthropods, you can ignore them. White karakurts are less venomous than black karakurt, but their bite can cause trouble for children or people suffering from allergies. The habitat is combined with the territory on which the black karakurt lives.

Oceania and Australia

Three species, one of which is introduced to Southeast Asia. The Australian black widow is also considered one of the most dangerous species.

Latrodectus geometricus

A species of black widow, common on all continents. The color on the dorsal side is brown. There is a red spot on the underside of the abdomen. Paws are yellow-brown with black stripes on the folds. Of all the black widows, the least poisonous and dangerous only for children and the elderly.

Until 2010, the black widow was considered the most poisonous spider, but took away the prize cup from her. The genus of Brazilian wandering spiders has 8 species. The distribution area is very limited: the tropics of South and Central America. The hunting method is active. The web is not weaved.

Interesting!

The last species was discovered only in 2001.

The venom of soldier spiders in the final stage causes muscle paralysis and suffocation. When poison enters the bloodstream, in 85% of cases, after a bite, cardiac arrest occurs.

Lives on the North American continent. Leg span can be 6-20 mm. Color brown, dark yellow, gray. One of the species in which the eye is less than 8. Only 3 pairs, which can be seen in the close-up photo of the cephalothorax.

It is nocturnal, hiding under roots and stones during the day. The hunting method is active, but weaves nets that it uses as shelter. Likes to settle in human housing. May accidentally crawl into bed at night. If you crush it, it will bite.

The consequence of bites is the development of a necrotic ulcer. The affected area heals for 3 years. TO lethal outcome a bite can result if the victim is a child or a person with a weakened immune system.

Medium venom spiders

The bite of such arthropods is not fatal, but can bring trouble in the form of swelling of the limbs and a painful bite site. These types include:

  • banana;
  • tarantulas;
  • spider sak;
  • wasp spider.

The bites of these animals cause local irritation. With a very large dose of poison, swelling of the limb is possible.

Banana

Large woody, spinning the largest cobwebs. They have several names:

  • giant tree spider;
  • gold spinner.

Body length 1-4 cm. Paw span 12 cm. Poison is not fatal for humans. A spider bite causes a local allergic reaction: burning, blistering, redness of the bite site. Symptoms go away within a day.

They belong to the family. The most famous are two species: South Russian and Apulian tarantula. The common name of the South Russian tarantula is. Large arthropods that do not weave trapping nets. They are nocturnal, attacking small invertebrates and other spiders. During the day they hide in vertical burrows with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm and a depth of up to 0.6 m. Animals have a gray protective color. The abdomen is covered with bristles. Paws of medium length.

Distributed in the southern dry steppes of the Eurasian continent. Tarantulas are especially poisonous in the spring after hibernation, until they have had time to waste the poison. But you have to try hard to get a bite from this arthropod: first remove it from the hole, and then grab it bare hand. Defensively, it is capable of a vertical jump, but at the first opportunity it will try to hide.

Interesting!

In English-speaking countries, tarantulas are called large tarantula spiders.

The second name is . originally inhabitant southern regions. But the abnormal heat led to the fact that the arthropod began to be found in middle lane Russia. The spread is facilitated by the unhealthy predilection of saka for the smell of oil. He often climbs between the tubes motor system car. Air vents are clogged with cobwebs.

The animal is not large: 0.7-1.5 cm. The span of the paws reaches 2.5 cm. The color is yellow-brown. It has impressive chelicerae with very long needles. This is a device for active night hunting. What a sack looks like can be seen in the photo of the spider below.

Saka venom causes soft tissue necrosis. Other signs of poisoning may include nausea, headache, heat. The bite site becomes inflamed.

She is a wasp spider. Belongs to the family of orb-weaver spiders. The "wasp" got its name for the characteristic color of the abdomen. In terms of the number of species, it is second only to jumping spiders and linifiids. The range of the argiope is limited to 52°N.

On a note!

- one of the species that have mastered the flight on the cobweb.

Hunting is passive. At dusk weaves round trapping nets. Feeds on flying insects. The bite is painful. May cause local irritation.

Safe spiders

Representatives of this group either cannot bite through human skin, or their venom is too weak to cause harm. These spiders include:

  • crosses;
  • haymaker;
  • brownie;
  • horses.

Most spiders are not interested in humans. They live in nature and want only one thing: that no one touches them.

tarantulas

The largest spiders. The champion is the goliath spider: a tarantula whose body length reaches 10 cm. The paw span is 28 cm. The body is covered with red-brown thick bristles. The tarantula is not dangerous to humans, but falling bristles can cause an allergic reaction.

Crosses

- large spiders with a very large triangular abdomen. On the back there is a characteristic pattern in the form of a cross, which gave the name to the whole genus of cross-spiders. An inhabitant of gardens, forests, parks and other green spaces. Conducts passive hunting for insects, weaving circular nets. The cross itself makes itself a shelter from rolled leaves.

Bites are harmless. Even a child feels like a slight pinch. But the cross is able to discourage the baby from grabbing the spider with his hands.

haymakers

Haymakers have already become not, but "domesticated" and do not want to leave a person's housing in any way. For humans, they are completely safe and cannot even pinch. Externally, haymakers look like a kosinozhka bug, but have an elongated body, divided into two parts. The bug has a round body.

On a note!

Weaves a chaotic web in all corners with deadly diligence and annoys people not with bites, but with the need to constantly remove the fruits of his labors.

Brownie

Belongs to the family. Distributed everywhere. Often settles in a human dwelling. The female is 7-12 mm in size, the male is 6-9 mm. Color brown. Weaves funnel webs. It is not aggressive towards people, but if you put your finger in its shelter, it can bite. There will be no consequences from the bite.

horses

- one of the most large families. Distributed everywhere except Greenland. Spiders of this family are capable of jumping and actively hunt during the daytime. Horses have a well-developed hydraulic system that allows them to change blood pressure and extend their limbs. Thanks to this adaptation, they can make jumps many times greater than their own size.

Interesting!

The family of horses is notable for the fact that it has the only species of spider - a vegetarian. Bagheera Kipling lives in Central America and feeds on acacias of the genus Vachellia. But this spider is not a pure vegetarian either. During the drought period, they can switch to feeding on individuals of their own species.

Peacock spider

The original endemic of Australia from the family of horses. A small spider of very bright coloring. The name was given for the complete copying of this bird: a bright male and a modest female. When caring for a female, the spider spreads its tail. It spreads the lateral shields of the abdomen and raises the hind legs with the abdomen up. In the absence of a female, the spiders wrap their scutes around the abdomen.

Tramp

They got their name because they do not weave nets and hunt, attacking prey from an ambush. The structure of the eyes and the methods of hunting are similar to wolf spiders. The female uses the web to weave a cocoon into which she seals her eggs. The female carries the cocoon with her on her back.

hunter

Belongs to the sparassid family - hunting spiders. The body can reach a length of 2 cm. Variations in color from yellow-brown to dark brown. On the sides of the body white stripe. Distributed in temperate climate on the territory of Eurasia. Lives on the banks of water bodies. A distinctive feature is the ability to move through the water and even dive if necessary. The second name of the hunter is the fisherman, since the spider can catch and kill small fish. He has nothing to do with the person.

green spider

It is impossible to determine the toxicity of this arthropod, since the “green spider” species does not exist in nature. Different animals from different genera have this color:

  • jumping spiders;
  • hunter spiders;
  • lynx spiders.

All of these are in Russia. To decide how dangerous the bite of a green spider is, you will first have to find out which family it belongs to.

crab spider

It is also difficult to determine what exactly we are talking about. The ability to move sideways is possessed by arthropods from three families at once:

  • neocribellatae;
  • Thomisidae ();
  • Philodromidae (isopod sidewalkers).

On a note!

Separate type " crab spider"does not exist, but all spiders from these three families do not pose a danger to humans.

arachnids

In dry regions Central Asia and Africa live large arthropods, which are often mistaken for spiders. These are salpugs. According to tracing paper from English, they are also called. But unlike spiders, salpugs have teeth, they do not have spider glands and are not poisonous.

Salpuga is a large animal that can catch up and kill not only invertebrates, but also small lizards. The chelicerae of large salpugs are so powerful that they can bite through a human nail. No real spider can do that. Although salpugs do not have poison, their bite can be very dangerous. On the chelicerae of these arthropods, particles of decaying flesh remain. After a bite, you can get blood poisoning.

Spiders cause many, although they are one of the most harmless and useful inhabitants of the planet. Spider lovers consider them "kittens".

The largest spiders are the tarantulas of the teraphosa Blond, whose body length can reach 9 cm, and the leg span can be up to 25 cm.

The smallest spiders Patu digua reaches only 0.37 mm.

Spiders rarely cause sympathy for anyone, mostly they are afraid. Among the most amazing spiders are those who can change color, or walk on water, or have a unique pattern, or are able to be reborn after their disappearance. Thanks to the compiled list of the most amazing spiders on the planet, everyone can get acquainted with these unique creatures.

spider crab

This truly unique animal got its name precisely because, like crabs, they can move not only sideways, but also back and forth. These spiders are also known for their ability to change color, which also helps them blend in with the color of their environment. By the way, spiders that can change their color are not necessarily skilled hunters.

peacock spider

You'll need a magnifying glass to see the vibrant colors of this tiny jumping peacock spider, as this creature is only 5 millimeters long.

At the same time, all males have something like a multi-colored tail in the back - they spread it like peacocks, especially to attract females.

Spider Bagheera Kipling

Basically, representatives of the spider world are predators. But not this species, as Bagheera Kipling's spider is a vegetarian. In size, these creatures are no larger than a fingernail, so they must hide even from ants, since they live together in acacia trees. Kipling's Bagheera is the first most famous spider to survive on a plant-based diet. True, if necessary, spiders still resort to cannibalism.

sand spider

Of course, many arachnophobes may believe that there are plenty of spiders on the planet that can inspire fear, however, scientists continue to discover more and more new species. Yes, recently opened the new kind giant sand spider named Cerbalus aravensis. It is easy to agree that this eight-legged spider may well become the next hero of the "horror movie". This spider is about 13 centimeters in diameter - this includes the legs, of course, which is why it is believed that this is one of the largest spiders in the Middle East.

Researchers discovered this type of spider in the sands of one of the deserts of Israel - Samar. Due to the fact that very important mines are located in the desert, this new species is under the threat of extinction due to environmental damage - in the future. Today, scientists cannot say exactly how many individuals of this species are in nature.

Clubiona rosserae

The spider belongs to the araneomorph family. He has a truly unique resurrection experience. Previously it was believed that these spiders became extinct in England in areas of wetlands about 10 years ago, however, in September 2010 this species was again discovered. The spider was identified by Ian Dawson, a lover of spiders, who, in addition, discovered 10 more individuals of this species. Scientists have received hope that this population will be restored. But, as the wetlands of England disappear, the fate of these spiders is still in danger.

Since birth, mother nature has rewarded people with a sense of fear of spiders. Many fight in a panic when they see this frightening creature, but there are also lovers of arthropods who breed them at home and believe best friends. The lucky choice among buyers was a domestic tarantula spider.

So, in order to acquire an arachnid comrade, you need to know the species suitable for this purpose.

Types of domestic tarantula spiders

  1. White-haired tarantula.
  2. Giant tarantula.
  3. Bicolor tarantula.
  4. Red-legged Mexican tarantula.
  5. Striped tarantula.
  6. Horned tarantula.
  7. Blue tarantula.
  8. Chrome tarantula.

White-haired tarantula

Adult body: 7 cm

Leg span: 14-16 cm

Length of stay: Female - 12 years; male - 3 years.

Natural lifestyle: The white-haired tarantula is one of the calm species, freely allowing itself to be picked up. Close contact should only be avoided with hungry spiders to avoid being bitten. spider dweller rainforest lives in a dug hole in the roots of trees.

Protection: Protrudes the chest and sheds hairs from the abdomen, which, once on the mucous membrane of the eyes or the surface of the skin, cause discomfort.

Tarantulas should be kept in glass or plastic containers with a volume of at least 5 liters. The terrarium must be closed, as spiders move well on the surface of the glass.

Vermiculite, lichen, coniferous sawdust, sphagnum moss are suitable as bedding. Pieces of bark or coconut shells should be added to the litter to equip the hole. The substrate is applied in a layer of at least 5 cm.

Each individual of this species should be kept separate, hungry spiders are characterized by cannibalism. For young individuals, feeding is carried out 2 times in 7 days, for adults once a week. The menu serves newborn mice or insects of a suitable size.

Air temperature: from 23 °C to 28 °.

Moisture: from 75-90%

Moulting: The tarantula during or before molting may restrict itself in food, sometimes to the point of complete refusal. Molt passes critically. The spider stops moving and lies on its back. The interval in an adult varies from 2 months to 1 year. In young people, the process occurs

Giant tarantula

The body of an adult: 9-10 cm.

Leg span: 20-25 cm

Lifespan: 12 years for a female. Males are often eaten immediately after the mating process.

Peculiarities: Lives in tropical forests Brazil. Females are larger in size than males. The color is two-tone: reddish-brown or grayish-black. A sedentary individual, more often spends its time near the hole.

Protection: With hind legs, it shakes off the hairs located on the abdomen. Hair can cause an allergic reaction.

Content at home: Terrarium - 30 × 30 × 30 centimeters. Litter - 5 cm Use peat or coco substrate. Feeding is done 2-3 times every 7 days, as giant tarantulas prefer to eat well. When deciding to pick up an individual, one should be extremely careful, the poison is not very toxic, but it is aggressive in its effect.

Temperature in the terrarium: 22°C - 26°.

Humidity: 70-80%

bicolor tarantula

The body of an adult: 7-8 cm.

Leg span: 15-16 cm

Length of stay : Males - 4 years, females - more than 20 years.

Natural lifestyle: The bicolor tarantula is one of the calmer individuals. The venom from a bite can be compared to bee venom. When buying this type of spider, you should be extremely careful with close contact, a bite can cause allergies.

Protection: He does not hesitate to use hairs that cause itching when in contact with the body.

Temperature: 24°C-28°.

Humidity: 65-75%

Red-footed Mexican tarantula

The body of an adult: 6-7 cm.

Leg span: 15-16 cm

Length of stay : Over 25 years

Content at home: An inhabitant of the semi-desert regions of Mexico. Spends most of his life near the burrow. The character is calm, can become a friend to a beginner in content. The substrate is poured from 5 cm and above, the individual is used to digging holes. The red-footed Mexican tarantula will be happy to have a shelter built and a cup of clean water in the terrarium. Habitual insects are used as feed, the regimen is 1 time per week. Young individuals are given food 2-3 times in 7 days. The bite of this house spider can only harm those who are allergic to bee or wasp stings.

Protection: Takes advantage of irritable hairs.

Temperature: 25°C-28°

Moisture : 60-70%

Striped tarantula

The body of an adult: 9-10 cm.

Leg span: 20cm

Length of stay: Up to 15 years (females).

Content at home: The temperament is individual for each individual, from good revelers on hand, to malicious spiders. The house spider has a fairly good appetite and rarely refuses to eat. Prefers everything that is given. Feeding is done 1-2 times in 7 days for adults and 2-3 times for kids. The terrarium is suitable horizontal with dimensions of 40 × 30 × 30 cm. As a substrate, preference is given to coconut substrate. The poison is not lethal.

Suitable for food:

  1. Crickets.
  2. Cockroaches.
  3. Beetle larvae.

Protection: Combs allergenic hairs at every opportunity.

Temperature: 23°C-27°.

Humidity : 70-80%

Horned tarantula

Adult body: 6 cm

Leg span: 15cm

Length of residence: 15 years or more.

Content at home: This house spider is native to East Africa and has 1 horn on its cephalothorax. He leads an active life position, especially at night. The horned tarantula is not advised for beginners, as the representative of this species is very aggressive in nature.

Rogach can freely bite who dared to disturb him. Although the poison is not fatal, it is quite capable of causing health problems. Individuals are very nimble, they require good observation. The terrarium is suitable cubic with bedding up to 10 cm in height. The spider belongs to the burrow type. It makes no sense to install a drinker and decorations, the inhabitant will quickly bury it all or intertwine with cobwebs.

Temperature: 26°C-28°.

Moisture: 50-60%

Blue tarantula

Adult body: 9 cm

Leg span: 25cm

Lifespan: Females up to 20 years, males 4 years.

Content at home: The blue tarantula is a native inhabitant of the monsoon forests of Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Color bright blue. Way of life - nornik and drevesnik. Equipping the terrarium, it is necessary to lay the ground and provide the spider with a tree (snag). The individual is suitable only for professional holders, since the domestic spider does not have stinging hairs, and its poison is very dangerous and has not been fully studied by researchers. The temperature is very complex. The terrarium is cubic, the bedding is coconut.

Temperature: 25°C to 27°C.

Humidity: 75-80%

Chrome tarantula

Adult body: 8 cm

Leg span: 15-19 cm

Length of stay: up to 20 years

Content at home: Homeland - Eastern Brazil. Most of life passes in holes under the roots of trees and shrubs. There are stinging hairs on the abdomen, but the spider uses them very rarely. Character calm, sometimes nervous, active. The terrarium is suitable horizontal with dimensions of 40 × 40 × 30 cm.

Substrate - 5-10 cm, moss, peat, coconut. The terrarium needs a drinker. Food for adults once a week. Insects on the menu suitable size. They rarely bite, but the bite is toxic, care should be taken when contacting.

Temperature: 22°C-28°.

Spiders live in houses. In some they are less common, in others they roam the rooms in whole flocks. Where do they come from and why do some houses attract and do not suit others? Necessity forces them to go to a person and hide under the roof of his house. They are looking for comfortable living conditions and food. More free lodgers appear in winter, or after an early cold snap. They are in no hurry to leave human habitation, from warm and comfortable cracks, from places where there are a lot of crumbs and other small insects to the cold after hibernation.

The house spider Tegenaria domestica is becoming less and less common in human dwellings.

Where did spiders come from

Previously, there was a belief that “a happy house is where spiders live,” and killing them will bring misfortune. In Greek mythology, spiders are associated with beautiful girl- Arachnoy. She was considered a skilled weaver and competed in a weaving duel with the goddess Athena. Created a fabric equally beautiful with the goddess. The goddess, enraged by the success of the girl, forbade her to practice the craft. Desperate, Arachne committed suicide. But the goddess resurrected her in the form of a spider, and since that time Arachne has been weaving webs (the name in translation means spider).

Only a few species of arthropods like to live next to a person, but most often - a spider - haymaker, black house spider (attic) and gray (brownie). The web that is woven has a beautiful structured pattern.

Sometimes unusual individuals are noticed in houses, but they do not linger for a long time, getting into the house in winter, they examine the territory and leave, or they die from human hands. Where these vagabonds come from and why they leave, no one knows.

Arthropods appear at home with the onset of cold seasons, but may accidentally enter along with things, agricultural products and furniture. Living in the house is not dangerous to humans. They quietly and modestly weave a cobweb in the corner and do not climb into the eyes of a person, so you can not touch them. But only if they do not settle in colonies.

Arachne angered the goddess Athena with her skill

Spider and web in the house

Grandmothers believed that the cobweb woven in the house was a reliable amulet for the family. That spiders bring good luck to the house, and the cobweb repels everything hostile and attracts positive energy to the house, makes life happy.

Ancestors attributed healing properties and the ability to cure diseases to the web. It has long been proven that the web does not have healing properties, but the superstitions that have existed for many centuries are still strong.

The belief that killing a spider is inviting misfortune has lost its meaning, and in modern homes a web can only be found in a negligent and lazy hostess. But associated interesting stories can still be heard today. It happened that the spiders living in the house brightened up loneliness for the elderly, helped them cope with illnesses and became almost family members.

Spider in the house: friend or foe?

These are one of the most common creatures living in houses with people. If the sight of a spider hanging from the ceiling above your heads, or running across your living room doesn't scare you, is it worth considering paying attention and sheltering a few spiders?

They settle and live in houses, sheds, summer cottages and skyscrapers - these are the most common insects that exist next to humans, especially in winter. They are the most common type of fear people have - arachnophobia (fear of spiders). People struggle with them and the most common way is with a vacuum cleaner or a shoe.

Some people suffer from arachnophobia and cannot bear the sight of a spider.

From legend

According to legend, the baby Jesus, along with his parents, hid from his pursuers in a cave where spiders lived. The dense web of the web hid and protected them from their pursuers. Since that time, arthropods have been revered throughout the Christian world. It is believed that they are protected higher power and by killing a spider, you can expose yourself to suffering and trouble.

Among the people there are also large group courageous followers of St. Francis who respect arthropods and see them as good.

Just one warning: don't touch them. We have several species of spiders in our country, whose bite causes severe pain and even symptoms of mild poisoning. But don't worry - none of them are found in the home. In addition, most species are not even able to penetrate human skin. Free lodgers never seek human contact, but when frightened or threatened, they may bite. Spider venom causes various reactions, depending on the type and predisposition to allergic reactions of the bitten person. Symptoms:

  • redness;
  • local swelling around the wound;
  • condition requiring hospitalization.

In any case, if you are bitten by a spider, you should consult your doctor. Before you trample on an eight-legged creature that has entered your home, take a look and consider how it can improve the quality of your life.

A spider bite can become inflamed and provoke an allergic reaction.

House spider (Tegenaria domestica )

In our homes, this type of spider is becoming less and less common. It is brownish gray in color with a pattern on its belly. It grows to a size of 6-10 mm. He has rather thick and hairy legs.

Attic spider (Tenegaria atrica)

This "beast" has a size of about 18 cm, the length of the legs can reach up to 8 cm. The web resembles a thick sheet rolled up like a funnel. They sit in ambush, hidden by a funnel, waiting for the prey to fall into the flat part of the web, and then, climb out of the cracks and rush to the prey. Unlike other species, attic prefer slightly wet places. They love basements and attics, although they do not ignore nooks and crannies behind furniture. Unfortunately, they do not stay in their corner, and sometimes they go to wander around the house or apartment. Often their trips are connected with the search for a partner, and in such situations they can meet a person (a meeting for both parties is equally unpleasant).

There is no need to be afraid of him - let him go his own way, but if he is angry or he feels threatened by you, the bite can be quite painful.

The attic spider is large and rather scary in appearance.

Phalangoid folkus (Pholcus phalangoides)

Another species that likes to live in an apartment is the phalangeal folkus. Unlike the attic, their appearance does not cause fear. It looks much smaller and more pleasing to the eye. Such a spider grows up to about 7-9 mm, has an almost transparent body and long thin legs. Weaves networks irregularly and not very beautiful. The rickety insects look like they feed on nothing but air and miraculously didn't get tangled up in their own legs.

And here's the surprise! They are extremely ambitious predators. Many insects serve as their food, they often hunt prey that is several times larger than them.

They even attack lofts, and usually win battles with them. It's hard to imagine this, but where Pholcus phalangoides live, you won't find attic tenants. They do not touch a person, they get enough food from other sources.

Phalangeal folkus - a small spider with long legs

Amarobiid spider (Amaurobius ferox)

This species is not as common in residential buildings, but is still found in basements. Red amarobiid spider 8-14 mm in size. If you anger him, defending himself, he can bite painfully.

Large steatoda (Steatoda bipunctata)

Cellars and attics can also be inhabited (very rarely) by a spider with beautiful name large steatoda - a small spider (up to 8 mm in length) with a very plump belly. He close relative karakurt spider, weaves a three-dimensional web, and males of this species create sounds with a frequency of 1000 Hz that are audible to humans. The bite causes tissue necrosis.

Harvest Spider (Opiliones)

Most often, houses and apartments are visited and arranged by haymakers spiders. Unlike others, they have only one pair of eyes and no venom glands. If they are frightened, they emit a smelly substance. They are completely harmless to humans. They are easily recognizable by their oval body and long, thin legs. They feed on other insects and spiders, and also suck juice from fruits and leaves, willingly feed on dead organic matter. The upper part of it has a dark gray color, the bottom is light.

This species weaves an oblique, uneven web that does not have a specific pattern. Prefer to live in dry and warm places. IN summer time like to sit and weave their net in the corners of window frames.

The haymaker spider is very often found in houses and apartments.

seasonal appearance

Common household spiders live for about two years. They reproduce throughout their lives. Most outdoors breed in the spring and their young grow slowly over the summer. In many regions, late summer and early autumn see a significant increase in the spider population - it seems that they are everywhere both in and out of homes.

In fact, it is the spider youth that has matured. As they get bigger and older, it's noticeable. Adult males begin to search for a mate, and the associated mobility attracts attention.

Three reasons why spiders are useful

  1. They eat pests such as cockroaches, earwigs, mosquitoes, flies and moths. If you let them work, they will kill most insects in your home. This is an excellent safe weapon against insects.
  2. They eat other spiders. Encounters with rivals often end in "gladiator" fights, in which the winner eats the loser. If you have a lot of long-legged tenants in your basement, you may see that the population initially consists of numerous small individuals, and subsequently dwindles to a smaller number of large ones. In addition, there are significantly fewer other pests in the basement, which makes spiders great allies of humans.
  3. They limit the spread of diseases, as they eat a lot of domestic pests, carriers of infectious and other diseases: mosquitoes, flies, fleas, cockroaches and many others.

In addition, they live in places that are free of toxins and clean enough that they can be a factor in determining the situation in your home.

Amarobiid, like other spiders, rids the home of harmful insects

How to get rid of spiders

While many of us would rather see spiders dead than alive, do not forget that he was once Arachne, albeit mythological, and that spiders are useful. Instead of poisoning yourself and them with chemistry, forcing them to die, beat them with shoes or a newspaper, it is better to catch them, which is easy enough (in a disposable cup or other container) and release them far from home, let them look for another place to live.

The appearance of spiders in the house is not their fault, and their behavior is not burdensome. And in order for arthropods not to live in your house all the time, you must take care of the hygiene of your home yourself.

Spider population control

  1. Caulk all cracks and holes through which spiders can enter the house.
  2. Make sure that the garbage does not lie directly near the house.
  3. Pack souvenirs, clothes, pleasant things in airtight plastic containers. Cardboard boxes attract insects, which attract spiders.
  4. Store wood some distance from the house so you don't bring spiders into the house.
  5. Use insecticides in the areas where they spin their webs.
  6. Control insect food sources of spiders with insecticides and other methods.
  7. Consider creating a chemical barrier around your home with a suitable reagent.

Signs and superstitions associated with spiders

  1. If spiders appear in your carefully cleaned house, expect a change.
  2. A light spider, rising up - brings good news, falling down - brings unexpected and not very pleasant news.
  3. A spider sitting on clothes - for profit.
  4. In the rays of the morning sun weaves a web - expect pleasant surprises and gifts, at sunset - there will be a little work.
  5. To see a red spider - to big money.

There are a lot of species of tarantulas. Some of them are domesticated and often found as pets, while others are not very popular and have not even been studied by 10%. Each species of tarantula has its own peculiarity in the nature and possibilities of keeping at home. At right choice the representative of this family will be a great friend and pet.

The species Aviculariinae includes 6 genera of tarantulas that live in the northern part of South America. This family is also called the true tarantula, as many members of the Aviculariinae are domesticated.


Most spiders of the species are arboreal tarantulas that live in tropical forests. The nature of representatives of Aviculariinae is calm, sometimes shy. Their venom is practically non-toxic to humans.

The paw span of Aviculariinae is on average 16 to 20 cm, and the body length is 6-8 cm.

Spiders of this species are kept as pets. The most popular representatives: Avicularia versicolor And Ephebopus cyanognathus.

Aviculariinae can be fed with crickets, cockroaches and frogs. This species should be medium sized.

This species has 13 genera, whose representatives live in Africa, especially in Saudi Arabia and also in Madagascar. The size is average: 16-20 cm in paw span, 6-10 cm in body length.

Little is known about this species, because, due to disguise, its representatives are difficult to find. To take a photo of this species of tarantula, you need to go through the jungle and be very careful.

One can only speculate about the nature of the Eumenophorinae. Based on the stealth of spiders, we can conclude that the species is moderately aggressive.

Due to little study and rarity, Eumenophorinae are not domesticated.

This type of spider is commonly referred to as the baboon spider. This species includes some of the largest tarantulas on the planet: the span of the paws reaches 30 cm.

Baboon spiders live mainly in Africa. They are terrestrial tarantulas, so their silk burrows can be found under rocks or in bushes. In the wild, Harpactirinae are able to hide well, despite the rather bright color and large size.

Harpactirinae have a relatively strong venom, but it does not pose a danger to humans, unlike the chelicerae themselves, which can severely damage the skin.

In general, baboon spiders are not aggressive. They can only attack in self-defense. This does not apply to the genus Pterinochilus, whose representatives are extremely dangerous.

The largest representatives of this species often become pets. It's better to feed the spiders large insects rather keep in large and deep terrariums.

The species Ischnocolinae combines 5 genera of tarantulas that inhabit all continents except Atlantis.

General hallmark These spiders are shortened hind legs and the presence of a unique pattern on the belly of the female.

Ischnocolinae are medium in size and non-toxic to humans. The species itself was formed recently, so the habits and nature of spiders are still being studied.

None of the genera of this species is considered aggressive, however, they are not suitable for domestication, due to the difficult conditions of detention.

This type of tarantula spider lives in Asia. Outwardly, they are very similar to baboon spiders, due to the large size and shape of the body. Most belong to the terrestrial type of spiders, but one of the genera belongs to the tree.

Ornithoctoninae have strong poison, which is not fatal to humans, but can cause discomfort, such as swelling and pain in the joints. The bristles on the belly of this species are also toxic.

The nature of all genera of Ornithoctoninae is extremely aggressive. Their defensive tactic is direct attack. The genus Haplopelma is considered especially dangerous, because of the habit of finishing off the victim to the end. Accordingly, this species is not subject to domestication.

Phlogius

The species is represented by only one genus, namely Phlogius Crassipes, whose representatives are often called eastern tarantulas. These spiders live in Australia.

Despite their small size, eastern tarantulas have a very strong venom that can kill a cat or small dog. For humans, the toxin is not fatal, but its effect on the body is extremely unpleasant and painful. At the same time, the character of Phlogius is quite calm and balanced.

A distinctive feature of this species of tarantulas is that its representatives prey on medium-sized birds, unlike other species. They also feed on large insects and small amphibians.

Poecilotheriinae

The Poecilotheriinae species is known for its bright coloration, which is why its representatives are called tiger tarantulas. These tarantulas belong to tree spiders and live mainly in India and Sri Lanka. Despite the fact that Poecilotheriinae has about 15 genera, this species is endangered. Tiger tarantulas are also targeted by poachers because of their beautiful and varied colors.

A feature of tiger tarantulas is fattening their prey. These tarantulas feed on small birds, insects and bats.

Spider venom is not the most dangerous, but fast acting. Also, the species is considered aggressive, so its representatives will not fit the role of pets.

The species lives mainly in Australia. These spiders can easily be confused with representatives of Phlogius, however, Selenocosmiinae is large: 22 cm in paw span, 9 cm in body length.

Representatives of this species are often called whistling tarantulas, because of the sound that the spider's bristles make when moving.

Spiders are terrestrial. They can be described as calm and closed creatures. It is very difficult to meet a representative of Selenocosmiinae in the wild, which is why photos with a species of tarantula are so rare.

The venom of the whistling tarantula is very poisonous, so the species is not subject to domestication.

This species is found in Africa and Asia. It includes 3 genera of tarantulas.

The main feature of Selenogyrinae is the presence special body, consisting of two rows of hair located between the chelicerae.

The poison of the species is almost non-toxic and safe for humans. However, its representatives do not have the most calm character, which makes their domestication risky.

Bird-eaters of this species live in Western and Central Africa. They belong to tree spiders.

This species is little known as the spiders use strong camouflage to blend in with the color of tree trunks.

Members of Stromatopelma, especially the genus Heteroscodra, are very aggressive. Their venom is also highly toxic, but not fatal to humans. For the role of a pet, the species Stromatopelma is not suitable.

Theraphosinae (terafosin)

This species is distributed in Central and South America and counts the most a large number of childbirth. Representatives of Theraphosinae belong to the terrestrial type of spiders.

A distinctive feature of these tarantulas is a low-toxic poison and relatively small size: 13 cm in paw span, 4-6 cm in body length.

The tarantulas themselves have a calm and docile nature. Most of the genera of the species can be kept as pets, especially representatives Aphonopelma And Brachypelma. They feed on small insects. In terrariums it is necessary to create tropical conditions.

This species is considered the smallest in the family of tarantulas: the paw span is 8-10 cm, the body length is 3-6 cm. Representatives of the species live in the south and west of India.

In addition to their small size, the Thrigmopoeinae species is distinguished by the absence of setae. The species is not considered aggressive, however, due to its toxic poison, it is difficult to keep it at home.

Theraphosidae

WITH Greek name translated as "beast" plus "light". Theraphosidae are also known as monkey spiders, rain spiders, and baboon spiders. These are long-legged tarantulas with two claws. Their body is covered with short, glossy hairs. The body size is small, from 2.5 to 10 cm. The distance from the end of the hind leg to the end of the front (including the length of the legs itself) is 8-30 cm. The weight of the largest individuals is about 90 grams. Despite their formidable appearance, Theraphosidae tarantulas do not pose a mortal danger to humans.

The family includes more than 800 species, divided into 12 subfamilies. Previously, there were 13 subfamilies and 113 genera.