Spiders are fascinating creatures that can be found all over the world. With over 45,000 known species of spiders, there are certainly some that stand out as particularly strange and unusual. Here are some of the weirdest spiders you might come across:
01. Long-horned Orbweaver
The Long-horned Orbweaver, also known as Macracantha arcuata, is a spider with elongated spiny horns protruding from its body. These horns are found on the females and are believed to serve a defensive purpose against predators. They also add to the spider’s unique appearance. This spider can be found in Southeast Asia, where it spins large orb webs to catch its prey.
02. Tailless Whip Scorpion
The Tailless Whip Scorpion, also known as Amblypygi, is not technically a spider, but it is often mistaken for one due to its eight legs. This bizarre creature is actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to true crabs. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world, and it has a unique way of hunting. Unlike most spiders, which use webs to catch their prey, the Tailless Whip Scorpion relies on its long, thin legs to grab its food.
03. Zipper Spider
The Zipper Spider, also known as Argiope aurantia, is a large spider that is found in North America. It gets its name from the distinctive zigzag pattern that it weaves into its web. This pattern is thought to help camouflage the spider from its prey, as well as to strengthen the web. The Zipper Spider is also known for its bright yellow and black coloring, which makes it easy to spot in the wild.
04. Daddy Long-legs Spider
The Daddy Long-legs Spider, also known as Pholcus phalangioides, is a common spider found all over the world. This spider is unique in that it has an incredibly thin body and long, spindly legs. It is often found in homes and other buildings, where it feeds on other insects. Despite its creepy appearance, the Daddy Long-legs Spider is not dangerous to humans, as its venom is too weak to harm us.
05. Lady Bird Spider
The Lady Bird Spider, also known as Eresus sandaliatus, is a rare spider found in the Mediterranean region. It gets its name from its bright red and black coloring, which resembles that of a ladybug. This spider is unique in that the males and females have completely different appearances. The males are small and brown, while the females are large and brightly colored. The Lady Bird Spider is also unusual in that it does not spin a web, but instead creates a silk-lined burrow in the ground.
06. Ant Mimic Jumping Spider
The Ant Mimic Jumping Spider, also known as Myrmarachne plataleoides, is a small spider that can be found in tropical regions of the world. As its name suggests, it mimics the appearance and movements of an ant in order to avoid being preyed upon. This spider has elongated front legs that it uses to mimic the ant’s antennae, and it also has a distinctive black and red body pattern that resembles an ant’s body.
07. Assassin Spider
The Assassin Spider, also known as Dysdera crocata, is a spider that is found in Europe and North America. It is a nocturnal hunter that preys on other spiders, including the common household spider. The Assassin Spider has powerful fangs that it uses to penetrate the exoskeleton of its prey. It also has a distinctive red or orange body that makes it easy to spot in the wild.
08. Arrowhead Spider
The Arrowhead Spider, also known as Verrucosa arenata, is a small spider that is found in the deserts of the southwestern United States. This spider gets its name from its triangular-shaped body, which resembles the head of an arrow. The Arrowhead Spider is an ambush hunter that hides in burrows and waits for its prey to come close before striking.
09. Camel Spider
The Camel Spider, also known as Solifugae, is not technically a spider, but it is often mistaken for one due to its appearance. This creature is found in desert regions around the world, and it is known for its large size and aggressive behavior. The Camel Spider has powerful jaws and can move quickly, making it a fearsome predator.
10. Cat Faced Spiders
The Cat Faced Spider, also known as Araneus gemmoides, is a spider that is found in North America. It gets its name from the distinctive markings on its body, which resemble the face of a cat. The Cat Faced Spider is a common garden spider that feeds on insects, and it is known for its beautiful coloration and intricate web-building skills.
11. Happy Face Spider
The Happy Face Spider, also known as Theridion grallator, is a small spider found in Hawaii. As its name suggests, this spider has a distinctive happy face pattern on its back. The exact function of this pattern is not clear, but it may help the spider blend in with its surroundings or deter predators.
12. Peacock Spider
The Peacock Spider, also known as Maratus, is a small jumping spider found in Australia. The male of this species has a brightly colored abdomen that he displays during courtship dances to attract females. The display is so intricate and colorful that it has been likened to a peacock’s display.
13. Bird Dung Spider
The Bird Dung Spider, also known as Cyclosa ginnaga, is a spider that is found in Japan. This spider has a unique adaptation – it builds a web that looks like a pile of bird droppings, which helps it avoid detection by predators. The spider itself is also camouflaged to look like a lump of bird droppings.
14. Spiny Orb Weaver
The Spiny Orb Weaver, also known as Gasteracantha cancriformis, is a small spider found in the southeastern United States. This spider has a distinctive spiny appearance, with spines on its abdomen and legs. The spines may serve as a defense mechanism against predators, or they may help the spider blend in with its surroundings.
15. Goliath Birdeater Spider
The Goliath Birdeater Spider, also known as Theraphosa blondi, is one of the largest spiders in the world. It is found in South America and can reach a leg span of up to 30 centimeters. Despite its name, this spider does not actually eat birds – it primarily feeds on insects and other invertebrates. However, it is still a formidable predator and can deliver a painful bite if provoked.
16. Ogre-Faced Spider
The Ogre-faced Spider, also known as Deinopis, is a nocturnal spider that can be found in tropical regions across the globe. This spider has an unusual hunting method. Instead of spinning a web, it hangs upside down from a branch or leaf and waits for its prey to come close. When an unsuspecting insect passes by, the spider pounces on it with lightning-fast speed, catching it in its large, powerful jaws.
17. Mirror Spider
The Mirror Spider, or Thwaitesia argentiopunctata, is a small spider with a reflective abdomen. The mirror-like surface of the abdomen is believed to confuse predators by reflecting sunlight, making the spider look bigger and less vulnerable. This spider is found in Australia and is commonly called the disco spider due to its shimmering appearance.
18. Eight-Spotted Crab Spider
The Eight-Spotted Crab Spider, or Platythomisus octomaculatus, is a spider with eight distinctive white spots on its body. These spiders are ambush predators, camouflaging themselves to blend in with their surroundings. They are found in tropical regions and are known to be excellent hunters.
19. Two-Tailed Spider
The Two-Tailed Spider, or Uloborus plumipes, is a spider with an unusual shape. It has two long tails, which are actually spinnerets that it uses to produce silk. These spiders are found in the Americas and are known for their unique web-spinning abilities. They spin horizontal webs, which they use to capture prey on the ground.
20. Wrap-Around Spider
The Wrap-Around Spider, or Dolophones conifera, is a spider that looks like a piece of bark. It has a flattened body with a brown and white pattern that resembles tree bark. These spiders are found in Australia and are known to wrap themselves around tree branches, blending in with their surroundings and waiting for prey to come within reach.
21. Tree Stump Orb Weaver
The Tree Stump Orb Weaver, or Poltys illepidus, is a spider that builds its web on tree stumps. Unlike most orb weavers that spin circular webs, the Tree Stump Orb Weaver spins a flat web with a hole in the center. This allows the spider to hide in the hole and wait for prey to come within reach. These spiders are found in Southeast Asia and are known for their unique web-building technique.
Final Thought
Spiders are fascinating creatures with a wide variety of unique and unusual adaptations. While these spiders may seem strange and even scary to some, they play an important role in the ecosystem and deserve our respect and admiration.