Spiders

[Tshokwane]

Credits to Niela's Peculiar Photography.

Hackled-mesh web weavers

(Family Phyxelididae)

Some people wouldn't bother to take a second look at these spiders as they are very common in most parts of South Africa, but I think they have a rather rare beauty to them.

I usually find them in dark and damp places under stones & bark, holes in trees and even in crevices where they will make a cribellated funnel-like signal web as you can see in photo number 3. The easiest way to identify them is by their web. They have 8 eyes arranged in two rows (4:4), legs are long and slender, they are drab brown or grey and their abdomens are oval, usually with a dense layer of setae (hair) and sometimes have a defined pattern. Body size ranges from 3-16mm.

Males are slightly smaller than females, their legs more slender and adult males will have enlarged pedipalps.
These are clever nocturnal hunters, they sit and wait patiently for prey to walk by and trip one of the signal lines, they will then rush over to overpower it, inject venom into the prey and then enjoy their meal.

They are harmless to humans and pets of course. 

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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