This reference aims to teach vocabulary to English learners by summarizing the most common types of spiders, their distinguishing characteristics, and where you are likely to encounter them.
Spiders are everywhere, from the ceiling of your house to outdoor spaces. They come in many colors like brown, red, gray, and white. Although spiders may look eerie and can cause fear, most are nonpoisonous and do not bite humans unless provoked.
Contents
Types of Spiders
- The Black widow
- The Hobo spider
- The Brazillian wandering spider
- The Brown Recluse spider
- Wolf spiders
- The American house spider
- Orb-weaver spiders
- Daddy longlegs spiders
Types of Spiders and Specific Facts
Poisonous Spiders
The black widow spider
This spider is revered in the whole world due to its venom, which causes breathing difficulty due to paralysis of the victim’s lungs. Its found almost everywhere globally, with most of these spiders being found in temperate regions; Africa, Southern Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The female has a shiny abdomen designed into an hourglass shape, with reddish-brown colorations. It usually feeds on the male after mating to provide nourishment to its unborn spiderlings. Male is seldomly seen, but it measures about a quarter of the female’s body size.
The Hobo spider
This species of spider got its name from the frequent sightings along with the railroad trucks. It’s usually brown and has massive hairs on its body, especially on the leg. Found mostly in the Northwestern parts of America. Its bites are non-necrotic, and usually, the symptoms of the poison subside within 24 hours.
The Brown Recluse spiders
Measuring an average of 0.25 inches, these spiders are usually poisonous and commonly found in the USA, mostly in Kentucky and Georgia. They have long legs, which creates an illusion of them being big, whereas they are not. They have violin-shaped markings on their bodies and three pairs of eyes.
Brazilian wandering spiders
They are also referred to as banana spiders as they are commonly found in banana plants. These types of spiders can inject venom into a victim, causing effects on the victim’s central nervous system. They are also considered men’s worst nightmare as they cause painful erections on men when they bite them.
Nonpoisonous Spiders
Wolf spiders
Referred as to wolf spiders due to the way their hunting skills resemble that of a wolf. They are brown and have excellent vision. Have a pair of eyes on the top of their heads on either side and another pair of eyes with four other eyes.
The American house spider
Mostly gray and have round abdomens. Commonly make their webs in dark and concealed corners of buildings and homes.
Orb weavers
These spiders are unique in that they build and tear down large webs daily for trapping insects. They can grow up 2-3 cm in size and are usually gray or brown.
Daddy long legs
This is the most common spider species globally and usually builds its web almost everywhere in the house. They have very long thin finger-like appendages at the end of their abdomens.
Key takeaway
Most spider bites are rarely fatal because their venom is structured to kill small animals such as insects. If you live in an area prone to spider bites or you are planning to go for a vacation in a spider-infested area, buying a spider identification book is a worthy investment, as it helps you distinguish a bite from a poisonous and nonpoisonous spider.
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