Wolf Spider

Wolf Spider

Location: Wolf spiders are found in many countries around the world such as North America and Australia.

 

·         They are given the name “Wolf” spider because they are excellent hunters and hunt their prey like a wolf.

·         They are most commonly found in grasslands and meadows.

·         Most are dark in colour from black to brown and depend on their camouflage for protection and hunting so they do not have a flashy appearance like some spiders.

·         They have excellent eyesight for hunting prey

·         In some areas, this spider can be a very common pest in the fall when it is seeking shelter against the cooling temperatures.

The Bite

 The Wolf spider is not aggressive towards humans but will bite you if it is provoked.

If bitten you should have mild symptoms such as swelling, mild pain and itching.

·         If you do receive major symptoms they are likely to be from an allergic reaction and you should seek medical treatment.

Diet

·  The wolf spider eats crickets, ants, grasshoppers and many other types of small insects. Large species may also take small lizards and frogs.

Burrows and eggs

Wolf spiders live in burrows in the ground.They do not spin webs and usually search for their food at night.

Wolf-spider burrow

Females carry their eggs with them. They carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their spinnerets on the ends of their abdomen.

 

 

 Egg sacs on a Wolf spider

Tarantula

 

Location: Tarantulas are found in warm areas around the world. They are commonly found in South America.

-Tarantulas are divided between Old World Tarantulas and New World Tarantulas.

·         Old World Tarantulas are found in the "Old World" meaning Africa, Asia, Europe etc.

They are more aggressive and bite as their main form of defence.

·         New World Tarantulas are found in the "New World" meaning North and South America. Most New World Tarantulas have urticating hairs as their main form of defence.

·         Tarantulas are the largest arachnids

·         These spiders are large, bulky and very hairy

·         Most are dark in colour from black to brown

·         Female Funnel-web Spiders can live up to 20 years!

·         They are gentle but can be aggressive when provoked.

·         Their hair on their bodies act as a defence mechanism against predators

The Bite

 Tarantulas have very powerful fangs and can deliver a decent amount of venom. Despite their scary appearance and reputation, none of the tarantulas are known to have a bite which is deadly to humans.

·   If bitten the bite will feel like a bee sting. Some species deliver more painful bites than others but you should not experience severe symptoms because the venom of a tarantula is weak. If you do receive symptoms they are likely to be from an allergic reaction.

Urticating hair

Urticating hair are irritating hairs that is one of the main defence mechanism. Many tarantula species eject hairs from their abdomens, directing them toward attackers. These hairs can embed themselves in the other animal's skin or eyes causing pain and discomfort.

 

Urticating hair on a tarantula's abdomen

Diet

·         Smaller tarantulas eat fellow bugs, such as cicadas, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars and beetles.

·         Larger tarantulas eat lizards, snakes, bats, toads, frogs and rodents such as rats and mice.

Burrows and eggs

Tarantulas live in burrows in the ground.

The Female spider produces a sack containing hundreds of eggs in the burrow.

Young Tarantula Spiders are raised inside the burrow.

 

 Tarantula burrow

Funnel-web Spider

Location: These spiders are often found in Australia giving them the name “Australian “Funnel-web Spiders

·         These spiders large, bulky and look like tarantulas

·         Funnel-web Spiders are dark in colour, from black to brown, with a shiny head and thorax.

·         Female Funnel-web Spiders can live up to 20 years!

·         They are very aggressive and their bite is known to penetrate fingernails and shoes.

 

The Bite

·       The strength of the venom from the bite from a female Funnel-web Spider is only about a sixth as strong of the venom from a male Funnel-web spider. The venom of the spider is dangerous to apes, monkeys and humans but barely seems to have any negative effects on

      Other animals. This is because the animals have become resistant to the venom.

·         If bitten, you will feel a rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure. You will also experience nausea, headaches and vomiting.

·         You should call emergency services immediately, apply a bandage and firm pressure over the bite.

Diet

The Sydney Funnel-web spider’s diet mostly consists of insects. Sometimes frogs and lizards may also be eaten.

Burrows and eggs

Funnel-web spiders live in burrows in the ground.

The Female spider produces a sack containing hundreds of eggs in the burrow.

Young Funnel-web Spiders are raised inside the burrow.

 

Funnel-web spider burrow

                            Black Widow

Location:These spiders are found worldwide especially in America.

 

 

• They are identified by a red hourglass figure on their abdomens.
• Male black widows are harmless and only female black widows are deadly.
• Females usually kill and eat their males after mating thus giving the spider the "widow" name.

The Bite

·       The Venom of the bite is 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake's.Although the bite is rarely fatal, Black Widows pose most threat to young children and the elderly.

• If bitten, you will feel muscle cramps and spasms that will spread from the bite.You will also experience nausea ,headaches and high blood pressure.
   
• You should call emergency services immediately ,wash the bite well with soap and water and apply an ice pack onto the bite.

 

Diet

Black widow spiders catch their food using their webs.Their diet consists of flies,grasshoppers,beetles and caterpillars

Webs and eggs

The female lays her hundreds of eggs which she suspends in a cocoon on a large web.

 

 

 

Black Widow spider laying eggs                                     Black Widow Eggs+cocoon