Spiders

White Tail Spider - Dangerous or Over Rated?
Is This White Tail Spider Capable of Such A Nasty Spider Bite?
Like me, the white tail spider is an immigrant to New Zealand. However, the white tail was not a welcomed visitor. Originating from Australia, the white tail spider is now one of the only two dangerous species of spiders found in New Zealand. (The other is the Katipo a type of Redback). The beautiful and distinctive white tail spider only grows to about 17mm, yet is capable of administering a nasty bite. Commonly found in urban areas, I have seen this hunter far too many times. You can learn ...

Biggest 'Spider' on earth
Stunning Spider Crab
This gigantic crustacean is called the spider crab because, like the arachnids on land, it has eight legs, but this fearsome creature can be huge, and has been known to attack if threatened, giving nasty nips with the huge pincers. Though these are very intimidating creatures if you get close to them, they are actually highly prized in season for their delicious meat. Images sourced from - http://www.vincelewis.net/spider.html http://www.metro.co.uk/news/812905-crabzilla-climbs-out-of-the-dee...

Arachnophobia: My Irrational Fear Of Spiders
My Story Of Arachnophobia~A Crazy Fear Of Spiders
Me and about 55% of the female population have a severe phobia of spiders. I can barely type the word "spider" on the screen without feeling my skin crawl. The fear has grown worse with age. In fact, just recently I had a tarantula move into my backyard which has brought on fear so intense that I cannot ignore it. My muscles tense up, my chest feels like a 500 pound weight bar just dropped on me, tears pour out of my eyes, and my stomach erupts with vomit. The fear is completely irrational to...

Learn about Spiders - ARACHNIDS
Special features
Arachnids are very adaptable so they can be found all over the world and in all land habitats. Arachnids are often confused with insects, but they are a separate animal group. They include spiders, scorpions, ticks and mites. Most arachnids have a body divided into two parts and special 'feelers' on their head called pedipalps, which are used for mating. Most spiders have poison, in glands, but few spider bites are harmful to humans. Scorpions have a nasty sting in their tail. Spiders have 's...

What do Spiders Eat?
What do Spiders Eat and Spider Feeding FAQS
It's a pretty broad question to ask 'What do Spiders Eat?' considering that there are over 40,000 Species of Spiders worldwide. Most spiders are predators which means that they feed on other living things. Not all spiders are predators, however. It was discovered in 2008 that there is a herbivorous or plant-eating species of spider which you'll read more about on this page. You'll discover what spiders eat, how spiders catch their food, how they actually eat their food and also examples of ...

Daring Jumping Spider: Phidippus Audax
A Common Jumping (Salticidae) Spider
About the size of a thumbnail, this spider was climbing up my dining room wall. Based on web research, I am guessing that it is Phidippus Audax, the "Bold" or "Daring Jumping Spider." I'm putting my photos up as Creative Commons (NC-SA) in case they might be useful. (You can use 'em on Squidoo lenses). I've supplemented my own photos with links to other good Daring Jumping Spider photos, videos, and expert Phidippus audax webpages by entomologists. Photos on this page (unless otherwise note...

Passionate peacock Spider
Dirty dancing Spider Style
Not every colorful, and spectacular mating ritual on earth is easy to see with the naked eye, especially when ten of the creatures taking part could fit easily onto your fingernail. One of the more spectacular events of this type occurs when Jumping spiders, especially those of the peacock variety, get in the mood for love. Images - http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/australian/salticidae/Peacock_spider_Maratus_volans.htm