Spiders in SA - Something I never knew.
And that is that - South Africa has an impressive 2000 identified spiders, and in the warmer summer months, chances are good that you will encounter some of them.Dangerous Spiders of South Africa
Of the 2000 this is the one I always try and avoid
Button Spider: This is probably the most well-known South African spider, identified by the red hourglass on its round, black abdomen. Button spiders are found all over South Africa, and they usually reside in quiet, dark places. They rarely wander into houses, and most bites occur when the spider are disturbed in its hiding place.
Button spiders have neurotoxic venom, which means that it attacks the central nervous system. Only female spiders have fangs large enough to pierce human skin. Bites are very painful and symptoms will appear shortly after the bite: Sweating, raised blood pressure, muscle pain and cramps, pain and weakness in the limbs, the face becomes contorted, flushed and sweaty with drooping eyelids and swollen lips. In severe cases the body will contort and shake uncontrollably. The good news is that no deaths from button spiders have been recorded in the last 50 years.
I had a 'Tame' one of these baboon spiders when young.
Baboon spiders are generally not poisonous, even though they can inflict a very painful bite.
However, there are one species of baboon spider found in the Western Cape, Harpactira lightfooti, which has neurotoxic venom (similar to the black widow), causing severe symptoms such as pain, shock, vomiting, paleness and difficulty walking.
Comments (36)
Have a blessed week ahead
That Button Spider reminds me of the Black Widow spider in the US.
Some have two red spots instead of the hourglass.
hmmmm... sometimes not black...
LUKE!!!
OK... LUKE...
11. Spiders also fall in love...
have a blessed week ahead Luke
just kiddin
What are you talking?
You do not have fireside because you have no women...
Okay, I'll say otherwise...
You do not have the Spider Woman that could hug you with all...
10. Spiders have 48 'knees' ... eight legs with six joints on each.
The poor boy are you talking about...
Meet one of our beautiful female Asian Spider...
Hyllus spiders are big (often over 10mm). They have a thickset cephalothorax and their legs are densely covered with hairs.
Classification: Family Salticidae, Jumping Spiders
Habitat: Often found among foliage near mangrove swamps. Occasionally in waste-land.
Female: 9-15 mm.
Distribution: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam.
I bet you the male spiders would run for their lives upon seeing one like this...
Interesting blog though scared of these too big spiders which I never saw before.Thrillingly creature .
We have one in Australia that I personally find fascinating, the funnel web.