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.