Arachnids are a class of arthropods with four pairs of legs. They have two main body parts, the cephalothorax (combined head and thorax) and the abdomen. They have no antennae or wings.
In spiders, the eight legs, paired fang bases (chelicerae) and pedipalps are attached to the cephalothorax. The pedipalps of female spiders resemble small legs while those of male spiders have a swollen tip. Certain spiders, such as Baboon and Trapdoor spiders, have chelicerae that are directed forward so that, in order to bite, the spider has to rear and strike downwards. The chelicerae of most other spiders close with a pincer motion. Most spiders have eight simple eyes that are located towards the front of the cephalothorax. The abdomen, which is not segmented, contains the reproductive, respiratory and digestive organs as well as the silk glands and the spinnerets from which silk issues.
The pedipalps of scorpions end in pincers, their abdomens are segmented, they do not produce silk and their segmented tail ends in a stinger.
There are 11 orders of arachnids, nine of which occur in southern Africa. This chapter covers the following orders:
• Spiders (Araneae)
• Solifuges (Solifugae)
• Harvestmen (Opiliones)
• Whip scorpions (Amblypygi)
• Book scorpions (Pseudoscorpiones)
• Scorpions (Scorpiones)
• Ticks and mites (Acari)
It is estimated that more than 3 000 species of spider occur in southern Africa. They are divided into 67 families, all but the most insignificant of which are covered in this chapter. In many instances, particularly conspicuous genera and even individual species are described.
One example of red roman solifuges is described. About 200 species are known from southern Africa, mostly from the arid western areas and Namibia. All can be recognised by their enormous jaws. They fall into two broad categories: the diurnal forms which are generally darkly patterned, and the nocturnal forms which are larger and are uniformly pale.
One example of harvestmen is described. Most of the known species resemble the illustrated example but a small group have shorter legs and sluggish movements.
Whip scorpions are widespread in the humid tropics, but only the illustrated species Damon vanegatus is commonly found in southern Africa.
The known species of book scorpions show little variation in size or appearance from the example illustrated. They are widely distributed throughout the region, often in association with social insects.
Of the approximately 1 600 named species of scorpions throughout the world, 139 occur in southern Africa. All the important genera are covered in the text, including specific descriptions of two dangerous members of the Parabuthus genus.
The three most common species of ticks are illustrated. For more detailed treatment of this extensive group readers will need to refer to more specialised works.
Of the thousands of species of mites, only the velvet mite is described because its colour and open, sandy habitat make it particularly conspicuous. Most other mites are minute, often microscopic, and fall outside the scope of this book.
The distribution of most arachnids is not well known and the indication of distribution given in the text is therefore only approximate.
Courtship and mating take many forms. Male spiders can follow pheromones (scents) incorporated into silk to locate their mates. Male web-spinning spiders announce their approach by plucking the female’s web. Jumping spiders and wolf spiders have excellent vision and use pedipalps and legs as well as body postures in courtship. Prior to mating, males fill the ends of their pedipalps with sperm and copulate by inserting them into the female. Eggs are later laid and protected in a silken egg sac.
In scorpion courtship, the male grasps the female’s pincers in his own and leads her back and forth in a ritualistic dance during which he deposits a stalked package of sperm (spermatophore) on the ground and when her genital opening passes over it, it bursts, impregnating her with its contents. Gestation may last more than a year, after which live young are born and transported on their mother’s back during their infancy.
Spiders are defined by their remarkably diverse uses of silk. Most make silk egg sacs, and some use silk to build nurseries for their young. Many hide in silk-lined burrows, some with trapdoors that are constructed from and hinged with silk. Young of many species extrude a fine line of silk which is caught by the wind, wafting the spider over long distances to new habitats. Draglines are laid down to enable spiders to retrace their steps and to act as guides for potential mates. Silk is used to snare prey and wrap it once caught; one group uses silk as a casting net; and one spider swings a sticky silken bolas to snare moths. But the most conspicuous use of silk is for the construction of webs.
Four broad categories of webs are identified by Filmer (1991):
• Sheet webs: These are closely woven and spread over the substrate. In the case of funnel-web spiders, the edge of the sheet enters a tube-like retreat. Other sheet-web builders hang suspended under the sheet awaiting prey.
• Scaffold webs: These are complex, three-dimensional structures, often with a retreat of silk. These 'cobwebs' frequently gather dust and debris. Button spiders are typical builders of these webs, as are daddy long legs.
• Tunnel webs: Many spiders construct tubes or cocoons in tunnel crevices, under rocks or in cracks in bark. Often a system of trip lines is rigged at the entrance to warn the spider of approaching prey.
• Orb webs: These are the classic spider webs which are spun across the flight path of insects. There are many variations. Usually the spider waits at the hub of the web, or in adjacent foliage.
The structure of a simple orb web is shown in the accompanying illustration (after Filmer 1991). The web is constructed as follows:
1 An initial bridge is established by allowing a light thread to be blown from one anchor point to the other or by carrying it overland. This is reinforced into a foundation line by laying down additional threads.
2 A frame of tough thread is anchored to points around the perimeter of the web.
3 Radial threads are set up from the hub to points around the frame.
4 The hub may be reinforced or some species leave it open.
5 Non-sticky silk is used to construct the inner circle of the web.
6 A space is left between the dry inner circle and the adhesive catch web.
7 Starting from the outer circumference, viscid thread is laid in a close spiral.
8 Some species build a line from the hub to an adjacent retreat. This transmits vibrations from trapped prey to the hidden spider and it also gives the spider quick access to the web.
9 Certain species spin a zigzag stabilimentum of thick silk across the web. This may be to strengthen the web or to alert birds and other animals to the presence of the web so that they do not break it.
All except one family of spiders, the Uloboridae, subdue their prey with venom. Very few spiders have fangs large enough to penetrate human skin. In South Africa, there are no confirmed records of human deaths as a direct result of a spider bite. Of those spiders that are capable of biting humans, only the following are known to deliver anything more than a painful bite:
• Button or widow spiders: All button spider bites should be taken seriously and medical attention sought. Neurotoxic venom causes pain, difficulty in breathing, vomiting and extreme anxiety.
• Violin spiders, sac spiders and six-eyed desert crab spiders: Cytotoxic venom causes little discomfort initially but later severe ulceration and necrosis develop around the site. A bite from certain species of six-eyed desert crab spiders may cause death.
• All scorpions possess tails with a venomous sting with which they immobilise prey and defend themselves. Stings from all species are painful but only those of the buthid family (thick-tailed scorpions) are potentially dangerous and can be lethal if not treated. Some buthid species can also spray venom into the eyes of victims. The symptoms are severe pain at the site, followed within 24 hours by high temperature, respiration and speech difficulty, convulsions, abdominal pain and vomiting. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Medical attention should be sought without delay.
The dimensions given in this chapter for arachnids other than scorpions refer to body length from the head to the end of the abdomen, unless otherwise stated. Scorpion dimensions refer to the total length of the animal, including the tail.
1 COMMON BABOON SPIDERS
Heavily built. Hairy. Thick legs, pedipalps long and leg-like. Dark brown to black. Spinnerets protrude beyond abdomen. Lives in silk-lined burrow.
Similar
GOLDEN-BROWN BABOON SPIDERS Genus Augacephalus and Pterinochilus
Golden-brown, orange or pinkish-brown.
HORNED BABOON SPIDERS Genus Ceratogyrus
Silvery-grey with dark markings. “Horn” in centre of carapace.
LESSER BABOON SPIDERS Genus Harpactirella
Smaller (under 30 mm). Brown.
Family Atypidae
2 AFRICAN PURSE-WEB SPIDERS
Large fang bases. Legs short, hind legs thick. Eyes elevated. Lives in burrow with crater-shaped silk covering.
Family Ctenizidae
3 TRAPDOOR SPIDERS
Robust, slow-moving. Head shiny, hairless. Fang bases massive. Spiny “rake” on sides of jaws for digging. Dark brown. Burrow has cork-like trapdoor lid. Waits for prey at night at mouth of burrow, legs just protruding under door.
Similar
LESSER TRAPDOOR SPIDERS Family Cyrtaucheniidae
Burrow has multiple openings with flap-like doors.
FRONT-EYED TRAPDOOR SPIDERS Family Idiopidae
Thin trapdoor lids. Some plug burrow with hardened abdomen.
TREE TRAPDOOR SPIDERS Family Migidae
Builds tube with trapdoor on tree or moss-covered rock.
Family Dipluridae
4 FUNNEL-WEB MYGALOMORPHS
Small, slender. Spinnerets very long. Dark brown. Large, closely woven sheet web with open-ended funnel-shaped retreat in crevices or tree forks.
Similar
SHORT-SPINNERED FUNNEL-WEB MYGALOMORPHS
Family Nemesiidae
Shorter spinnerets. Builds tube web under stones, logs, etc.
DWARF MYGALOMORPHS Family Microstigmatidae
No web. Body camouflaged by dirt. Confined to east coast forests.
Argiope nigrovittata
5 BLACK-AND-YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER
Head silvery grey, abdomen and legs striped black and yellow. Lobed abdomen. Hangs head down in web with two back and two front legs together. Web generally less than 1 m from ground with stabilimentum (zigzag of thick silk).
Similar
BANDED GARDEN SPIDER A. trifasciata
Smaller with narrow bands, unlobed abdomen. Often near water.
RED-LEGGED GARDEN SPIDER A. aurocincta
Cream with silver-yellow and brown bands. Red legs.
SAINT ANDREW’S CROSS SPIDER A. cuspidata
Cream with thin black lines. X-shaped stabilimentum.
GRASS ORB-WEB SPIDERS Genus Larinia
Under 10 mm. Long, fawn-coloured abdomen.
PYJAMA SPIDERS Genus Singa
Under 6 mm. Shiny, striped abdomen.
LADYBIRD SPIDERS Genus Paraplectana
From 3-8 mm. Black spots on yellow or red abdomen. Looks like a ladybird.
1 HAIRY FIELD SPIDERS
Fawn, brown, grey or greenish. Abdomen oval, high in front, overhanging head region. Orb webs of fine silk. Hangs head down at hub of web or monitors vibrations from nearby retreat with one foot on silk line.
Genus Caerostris
2 BARK SPIDERS
Abdomen has thorny or wart-like projections. Coloration imitates bark and lichen. Hangs head down at hub of orb web. Most are nocturnal and remove web at dawn. Rests perfectly camouflaged against bark by day.
Similar
BIRD-DROPPING SPIDERS Genus Aethriscus
From 10-15 mm. Black and grey body looks like bird dropping. Nocturnal.
Genus Cyclosa
3 GARBAGE-LINE SPIDERS
Mottled silver, black and grey. Long, lumpy abdomen, pointed towards rear. Head tucked under front of abdomen. Legs short. Small orb web with line of debris and egg cases down centre. Spider waits in middle of garbage line.
Genus Nemoscolus
4 STONE NEST SPIDERS
Dark with white markings on cylindrical abdomen. Head tucked under abdomen. Horizontal orb web drawn up at hub to conical retreat made from sand and other debris, where spider hides.
Genus Cyrtophora
5 TROPICAL TENT SPIDERS
Dull-coloured with white markings. Abdomen has paired tubercles. Fine-meshed, tent-shaped web surrounded by trip lines; line of egg cases and other debris down centre. Spider hides in debris line. Webs often close together among aloes, bushes.
Genus Pycnacantha
6 HEDGEHOG SPIDERS
Golden brown with darker markings and spine-like protruber-ances on the abdomen. Front legs robust, armed with spines. Nocturnal. Hangs by back legs from silk trapeze, catches moths with front legs. May emit pheromone lure. Sits immobile in vegetation by day.
Genus Cladomelea
7 AFRICAN BOLAS SPIDERS
Creamy-yellow. Abdomen has pimple-like, yellow protuberances. Line of dark spines between eyes. Nocturnal. Hangs sideways from silk trapeze, swings “bolas” of silk tipped with sticky globule to catch moths. Grassland on eastern escarpment.
1 KITE SPIDER
Abdomen shiny, hard, rather flattened with spiny projections. Yellow or white with black markings, especially at tips of projections. Legs short. Symmetrical orb web in tree.
Similar
WEDDING CAKE SPIDER Isoxya yatesei
Raised crenellations on abdomen. Orb web.
BOX KITE SPIDERS Genus Hypsacantha
Squarish abdomen, subdued colouring. Orb web.
Nephila senegalensis
2 BANDED-LEGGED GOLDEN ORB-WEB SPIDER
Abdomen cylindrical, black with yellow markings. Carapace brown with silvery hair. Legs banded black and yellow with “hair” tufts on three pairs. Hangs in large web of golden silk surrounded by trip lines. Small males often present in web.
Similar
BLACK-LEGGED GOLDEN ORB-WEB SPIDER N. pilipes
Abdomen yellow with blue marbling. Hair tufts on first, second and fourth leg pairs.
RED-LEGGED GOLDEN ORB-WEB SPIDER N. inaurata
Larger (35 mm). Silvery with yellow, grey and rufous markings. Legs reddish, banded, untufted. Northeastern and east coast.
HERMIT SPIDER Nephilengys cruentata
Abdomen rounded. Black with yellow along sides. Legs banded, untufted. Hides in retreats. White web silk. North and east.
Genus Tetragnatha
3 LONG-JAWED WATER SPIDERS
Fawn or brown. Abdomen long, cylindrical, pointed towards rear. Jaws very large; palps of male extend beyond jaws. Forelegs long, slender. Horizontal orb web near water. Hides by stretching out along grass stem.
Similar
THICK-JAWED SPIDERS Genus Pachygnatha
Abdomen shorter. Jaws thick but not as long. Legs shorter.
Genus Leucauge
4 SILVER VLEI SPIDERS
Abdomen cylindrical, truncated at rear. Silver, gold, red or green with fringe on hind legs. Jaws fairly thick. Horizontal orb web quite low in vegetation.
Similar
CAVE SPIDERS Genus Meta
More spherical abdomen. Drab colouring. Prefers dark places.
Genus Uloborus
5 FEATHER-LEGGED SPIDERS
Long, humped abdomen. Grey or brown. Front legs long with hair tufts. Horizontal web with fluffy silk. No venom glands. Rests at hub of web with legs stretched forward.
Similar
SINGLE-LINE-WEB SPIDERS Genus Miagrammopes
Snare is single line of fluffy silk. Nocturnal.
TRIANGLE-WEB SPIDERS Genus Hyptiotes
Snare is triangular segment of orb web. Fluffy silk.
Family Dictynidae
6 HACKLE-WEB SPIDERS
Insignificant but recognisable from irregular fluffy silk web network over dry terminal twigs of plants.
Latrodectus renivulvatus, L. indistinctus, L. cinctus
1 BLACK BUTTON SPIDERS
Abdomen globular, black with dull red dot or stripe. Sometimes indistinct creamy stripes towards front of abdomen. Nocturnal. Cobweb with snare threads leading to ground and to refuge under rock or other hiding place. Venom neurotoxic, dangerous. Egg sac smooth, spherical, cream, pea-sized.
Similar
KAROO BUTTON SPIDER L. karrooensis
Red “T” outlined in cream on abdomen. Red mark on underside. Web well above ground. Pebble “roof” over retreat. Found only in Karoo.
Latrodectus geometricus
2 BROWN BUTTON SPIDER
Cream to black. Pale specimens have geometrical white to orange markings above with darker centres and borders. Hourglass-shaped orange-red marking below. Legs long, tapered. Stiff hairs on back legs. Cobweb with threads leading to tunnel-shaped, opaque silk refuge. Egg sac spherical, covered in silk spikes. Venom less dangerous than of black button spiders. Introduced.
Similar
RHODESIAN BUTTON SPIDER L. rhodesiensis
Egg sac fluffy, three times larger than in other species. From Gauteng northwards.
Genus Theridion
3 HOUSE SPIDERS
Abdomen globular, mottled brown or grey. Legs long, tapered. Stiff hairs on back legs. Web consists of horizontal runway section, scaffolding and attachment threads, with retreat either to side or in centre, sometimes incorporating curled leaf or debris. In sheltered places outdoors or in houses. Egg cases spherical, brownish.
Similar
DEW-DROP SPIDERS Genus Argyrodes
Smaller (3-5 mm). Metallic silver abdomen, often conical. Lives in webs of other spiders, feeds on their prey.
FALSE BUTTON SPIDERS Genus Steatoda
Larger (5-15 mm). Black with white band towards front of the abdomen.
Subfamily Linyphiinae
4 HAMMOCK-WEB SPIDERS
Dark with thin tapered legs. Abdomen a rounded oblong with white markings. Hangs below filmy dome web in low vegetation.
Similar
MONEY SPIDERS Subfamily Erigoninae
Smaller (1-2 mm). Shiny black. Legs shorter, more robust.
SCAFFOLD-WEB SPIDERS Family Nesticidae
Larger (3-5 mm). Pale abdomen. In caves and dark, damp places.
Genus Smeringopus
5 DADDY LONG LEGS SPIDERS
Very long, thin legs up to 30 mm span. Grey-brown, cylindrical abdomen with darker markings. Hangs inverted under irregular cobweb. Shakes rapidly if disturbed. Eggs held in female’s jaws until they hatch.
Genera Gandanomeno and Dresserus
1 VELVET SPIDERS
Dark grey, brown or reddish. Covered in short velvety hair. Corpulent, oval abdomen. Legs short, robust. Front of head blunt. Lurks under flat web of dry-looking silk in rock crevices, loose bark, masonry.
Similar
DECORATED VELVET SPIDERS Genus Adonea
Smaller (20-30 mm). Strikingly marked black and white.
Genus Seothyra
2 BUCKSPOOR SPIDERS
Brown, corpulent, oval abdomen. Males often have orange, cream and silvery markings or may mimic ants or wasps. Short legs. Front of head blunt. Flat, lobed web on sandy soil resembles antelope spoor. Silk-lined tunnel leads from centre of web into ground. Dry, sandy areas.
Genus Stegodyphus
3 COMMUNITY NEST SPIDERS
Pale grey with dark markings. Two dark triangles on blunt “face”. Corpulent. Short legs. Numerous spiders of all ages nest together in spherical web. Nest becomes cardboard-like and debris-littered over time. Catching webs of fluffy elastic silk sheets extend for several square metres around nest.
Family Agelenidae
4 GRASS FUNNEL-WEB SPIDERS
Abdomen long, tapering, dark brown with paired pale dots. Long spinnerets. Soft, opaque sheet webs near ground with funnel-shaped retreat to one side. Egg cases resemble bottles of sand and are hung under rocks. Common in grassland.
Similar
CAVE and FOREST FUNNEL-WEB SPIDERS Family Miturgidae
Loosely woven webs in caves or curtain-like over holes in trees.
COMB-TAILED SPIDERS Family Hahniidae
Four spinnerets looking like teeth of a comb at rear.
Genus Oecobius
5 DWARF ROUND-HEADED HOUSE SPIDERS
Overall impression grey but markings visible under magnification. Flat sheet web 10 mm in diameter on wall; noticeable when numerous. Preys on small ants. Found in human habitations. Probably introduced.
Similar
DWARF ROUND-HEADED ROCK SPIDERS Genus Uroecobius
Sheet webs outdoors against rocks and tree trunks.
ROUND-HEADED DESERT SPIDERS Genus Uroctea
Larger (6-10 mm). Sheet webs incorporate sand grains in dry rocky areas.
Genus Deinopis
6 OGRE-FACED NET-CASTING SPIDERS
Very long body and legs. Large eyes. Nocturnal. Hangs from silk strands in low vegetation holding elastic silk snare between front two pairs of legs. Throws snare over prey. Immobile, twig-like by day. In thick vegetation and forests.
Similar
HUMPBACKED NET-CASTING SPIDERS Genus Menneus
Female has asymmetrical hump on abdomen. Widespread.
CAMEL-BACKED SPIDERS Genus Avellopsis
Symmetrically humped abdomen. Reddish-brown. Southwestern Cape.
1 LIGHT-EYED CRIBELLATE SPIDERS
Velvety, dark, sometimes with green or rufous tinge. Abdomen oval, some with vague markings. Light eyes. Long legs. Net-like sheet web in dark places with retreat into crevice or under stones. Nocturnal.
Genera Euprosthenops and Chiasmopes
2 NURSERY-WEB SPIDERS
Abdomen long, tapering. Front two pairs of legs and back two pairs held together, span up to 50 mm. Brown with symmetrical leaf-shaped pattern on abdomen. Domed sheet web slopes to silk tunnel in base of tree or similar hole. Female carries egg sac under body until young ready to emerge, then spins a nursery around them and guards them.
Similar
Genera Cispius, Rothus and Perenthis
Smaller (15-30 mm). No webs; free-running hunters.
Genus Thalassius
3 FISHING SPIDERS
Robust, fast-moving. Dark with various colours and patterns. White band often present around edge of carapace. Legs held widespread and equally spaced. Moves fast on water surface or aquatic vegetation. Preys on insects, tadpoles, small frogs, fish. Female carries egg sac and guards young.
Family Lycosidae
4 WOLF SPIDERS
Brown or grey with symmetrical markings on abdomen, sometimes black beneath. Radiating pattern on head. One pair of eyes very large. Most are free roaming; others build trapdoor tunnels. One genus, Hippasa, builds a funnel web. Male’s palps decorated with tufts of hair. Female carries egg sac attached to spinnerets until young hatch, then they ride on mother’s back.
Similar
TROPICAL WOLF SPIDERS Family Ctenidae
Very similar. Different eye patterns visible under microscope.
Family Oxyopidae
5 LYNX SPIDERS
Most common species green with pink markings; others fawn or golden yellow. Abdomen pointed towards rear. Legs long with spines. Front of head squared off. Active hunter on vegetation. Leaps considerable distances.
Family Mimetidae
6 PIRATE SPIDERS
Shiny, golden brown with darker markings. Globular abdomen. Front two pairs of legs long with curved spines, hind pairs short. Slow-moving, crepuscular. Invades webs and preys on other spiders. Remains immobile in vegetation by day. Widespread but seldom seen.
Family Salticidae
7 JUMPING SPIDERS
Many species with varied colouring, often hairy. Head truncated at front, generally larger than abdomen. Abdomen pointed or oval, often hairy. Some species mimic ants. One pair of eyes very large. Eyesight acute. Builds opaque silk retreat but moves freely by day. Leaps on prey after securing a silk line to substrate. Male waves palps (often decorated) to communicate.
1 PALP-FOOTED SPIDERS
Dark reddish-brown. Head and front legs dark and shiny, oval abdomen usually paler, more hairy. Front pair of legs large, robust. Nocturnal hunter. Lives in tube of sticky silk under rocks, logs, etc. Egg case attached to wall of tube. Young remain for a while in tube after hatching.
Genus Loxosceles
2 VIOLIN SPIDERS
Carapace flat, abdomen oval. Legs long, slender. Colour red-brown with darker markings. Venom can cause severe necrosis. Nocturnal hunter. Hides by day in dark places.
Similar
SPITTING SPIDERS Family Scytodidae
Smaller (5-15 mm). Domed carapace. Ejects sticky fluid to pin down prey.
LEAF LITTER SPIDERS Family Drymusidae
Hangs under loose, domed web in sheltered place. Southwestern Cape.
Subfamilies Storeninae and Cydrelinae
3 BURROWING ARMOURED SPIDERS
High carapace and rounded or oval abdomen, often higher towards rear. Pale with sepia markings. Builds silk-lined tunnel or pocket-like retreat. Members of subfamily Cydrelinae “swim” in loose sand with specially adapted legs.
Family Zodariidae
4 ANT-EATING ARMOURED SPIDERS
Pale orange-red, light brown or yellow, with brown and sepia markings. Abdomen oval. Lives on ground under stones, rocks, near ant and termite nests. Some make “igloos” of sand grains held together with silk. Preys on termites and ants.
Subfamily Storenomorphinae
5 LONG-BODIED ARMOURED SPIDERS
Carapace and legs usually yellow, abdomen grey with paler markings or grey with longitudinal brown and fawn stripes. Eyes in tight cluster. Long-bodied, abdomen cylindrical. Lives in vegetation. Some “sew” grass leaves together for retreat.
Family Ammoxenidae
6 SAND DIVERS
Abdomen round, reddish with pale longitudinal markings. Legs backswept, long and slender with flexible ends. Preys on termites which are bound in silk and buried. Moves fast over surface of sand and dives into it if disturbed, flipping upside down as it burrows. Cup-shaped egg sacs are also buried.
Genus Desis
7 LONG-JAWED INTERTIDAL SPIDERS
Carapace, fang bases and legs reddish-brown. Abdomen grey. Large fang bases project forward one-third body length. Found in intertidal zone along rocky shores. Builds silk retreat in empty limpet shell or rock crevice, which traps air during high tide. Air is also trapped in body hairs. Preys on intertidal arthropods. Western and southern coast.
Similar
SEASHORE SPIDERS Genus Amaurobioides
Smaller (13-17 mm). Grey with lighter markings. Fang bases not as large.
Family Caponiidae
8 ORANGE SPIDERS
Carapace and legs orange. Abdomen grey-brown or yellowish. Carapace smooth, abdomen hairy. Eyes in tight cluster at front of carapace. Nocturnal, free-ranging hunter. Hides under rocks, loose bark.
1 SIX-EYED TUNNEL SPIDERS
Dark brown or black. Abdomen long, oval. Carapace shiny. Three front pairs of legs directed forwards. Silk tube, some with trip lines radiating from mouth, is built in crack or crevice of stone, log, etc. Nocturnal. Waits at mouth of tunnel with three front pairs of legs ready for passing prey.
Family Trochanteriidae
2 SCORPION SPIDERS
Shiny, red-brown or black. Some have pale marks on abdomen. Legs paler than body. Large, widely diverging fang bases. Body extremely flattened. Often folds a pair of legs back over body. Nocturnal. Hides in crevices and under bark.
Similar
GIANT-FANGED SIX-EYED SPIDERS Family Dysderidae
Smaller (8-15 mm). Pale abdomen, not flattened. Western Cape only.
Genera Cheiracanthium and Clubiona
3 SAC SPIDERS
Pale grey, cream, pinkish or yellowish. Dark fang bases and leg tips contrast with pale body. Legs long. Venom of Cheiracanthium fuculatum causes necrosis. Nocturnal, often indoors. Runs swiftly; jumps if alarmed. Builds silk sacs in corners, curtain folds, under bark or in curled leaves.
Similar
ANT-LIKE SAC SPIDERS Family Corinnidae
Imitates ants and wingless wasps.
MOUSE SPIDERS Family Gnaphosidae
Darker. Pair of spinnerets extend beyond end of abdomen.
Genera Hersilia and Tyrotama
4 LONG-SPINNERED BARK SPIDERS
Marbled greys and browns. Flattish. Carapace raised towards front, eyes easily visible in two rows. Spinnerets protrude well beyond abdomen. Third pair of legs short. Waits head down, motionless, well camouflaged on trees or rocks. One species, Tyrotama arida, constructs inverted circular curtain-like retreat incorporating pebbles under rocks.
Family Selenopidae
5 WALL CRAB SPIDERS
Mottled greys and browns. Flat-bodied. Abdomen heart-shaped. Legs held sideways, crab-like. Builds flat, papery egg cases on walls, poles or under bark. Moves quickly to run down prey. Conspicuous on plain walls. Hides in cracks.
Genera Palystes, Palystella and Panaretella
6 RAIN SPIDERS
Greyish with slightly darker markings on abdomen. Legs banded yellow and dark brown underneath. Builds tennis-ball-sized egg nests of dried leaves in vegetation. Nocturnal, free-ranging hunter. Curls legs against body at rest. Often comes indoors.
Similar
ROCK HUNTSMAN SPIDERS Genus Eusparassus
Pearl-coloured. Dark fang bases. Nests under rocks.
GRASS HUNTSMAN SPIDERS Genus Pseudomicrommata
Smaller. Reddish longitudinal stripes. Restricted to grassland.
Genera Leucorchestris and Carparachne
7 WHITE LADY SPIDERS
Whitish. Lives in deep trapdoor tunnel in loose sand. Some Carparachne cartwheel down dunes to avoid predatory wasps. Only in sandy desert habitats.
1 SIX-EYED DESERT CRAB SPIDERS
Takes on colour of habitat because sand particles adhere to body. Sturdy legs held sideways. Venom possibly life-threatening. Buries itself by flicking sand over body with front legs. Remains immobile for long periods under sand but can move fast. Favours rock overhangs with sandy floors. Restricted to hot, sandy areas.
Genus Tibellus
2 SMALL WANDERING CRAB SPIDERS
Elongated body; legs more or less equal in length. Yellow, brown or straw-coloured. Lies in wait for prey on grass.
Family Thomisidae
3 CRAB SPIDERS
Flower-dwelling species with short, slightly flattened bodies, abdomen wider towards rear. Grass-dwelling species long-bodied. Legs directed sideways, first two pairs long, robust, armed with spines. Colours blend with background, often bright to match flowers. Some species change colour to suit background. Waits on plants to ambush prey which is often larger than itself.
Order Solifugae
4 RED ROMAN SOLIFUGES
Not spiders. Not venomous. Brown, yellow or reddish, some with dark markings. Hairy body in two parts: massive, hard head with formidable toothed jaws, and soft, segmented abdomen. Leg-like palps and front pair of legs held off ground. Swift, voracious hunter; kills prey without venom and digests internally. Digs burrows. Widespread in hot, dry areas.
Order Opiliones
5 HARVESTMEN
Not spiders. Not venomous. Head and abdomen fused into one unit. Eight slender legs up to 50 mm span. Palps sometimes large. Odiferous glands often present. Eyes sometimes on turrets. Most species are predators; some feed on carrion or plant juices. Forest floor.
Order Amblypygi
6 TAILLESS WHIP SCORPIONS
Not scorpions. Not venomous. Dusty black. Flattened body with wide head, no tail. Segmented abdomen. Front legs extremely long, whip-like. Nocturnal. Preys on insects. Found under loose bark, stones, leaf litter. Female carries eggs in transparent chamber below abdomen. Hatched young transfer to mother’s back. Rare.
Order Pseudoscorpiones
7 BOOK SCORPIONS
Minute scorpion-like animal without tail. Venom glands at tips of pincers. Pincers covered in tactile hairs and held out in front as sensors. Small insects are paralysed by pincers and eaten. Spins silk nest in which young develop. Under bark, stones or leaf litter throughout southern Africa.
Genus Hadogenes
Blackish-brown, flattened, medium-sized pincers, long thin tail. Venom not dangerous. Nocturnal. In crevices in rocky areas in north and west.
Similar
BURROWING LIOCHELIDS Genus Cheloctonus
Not flattened. Digs vertical burrow. Eastern areas.
CAPE ROCK SCORPIONS Genus Opisthacanthus
Not as flattened. Cape fold mountains.
Genus Opistophthalmus
2 DIGGING SCORPIONS
Robust. Large pincers, short tail. Brown or yellow with pale legs. Sting painful but not deadly. Builds complex, spiral burrow. Throughout southern Africa.
Parabuthus transvaalicus
3 TRANSVAAL THICK-TAILED SCORPION
Dark brown or black. Pincers thin, tail thick. Base tail segment rough. Sting segment as wide as tail. Stings and sprays venom. Dangerous. Nocturnal. Rests in shallow burrow under rocks by day. Northern areas excluding those with high rainfall.
Similar
HAIRY THICK-TAILED SCORPION P. villosus
More hairy. Not strictly nocturnal. More westerly distribution.
Parabuthus granulatus
4 WESTERN GRANULATED THICK-TAILED SCORPION
Light brown. Pincers thin, tail thick, sting segment narrower than tail. Dangerous. Found in scrapes and burrows. Western and central parts of the region.
Similar
Genera Hottentotta, Karasbergia, Pseudolychas and Uroplectes
Smaller (35-50 mm). Most are pale yellow or greenish.
Family Ixodidae
5 CATTLE and DOG TICKS
Red-brown flattened body with hard shield. Protruding mouth-parts. Female grey when engorged. Six-legged larvae (pepper ticks) and eight-legged nymphs and adults transmit human and animal diseases. Widespread.
Similar
SOUTH AFRICAN TORTOISE TICK Amblyomma marmoteum
Found on tortoises; occasionally snakes, leguaans.
Amblyomma hebraeum
6 SOUTH AFRICAN BONT TICK
Brown, yellow and black. Mouthparts extend one-third body length.
Ornithodorus moubata
7 TAMPAN
Body grey, leathery, slightly fiddle-shaped. Mouthparts are hidden from above. Inhabits cracks in walls of human dwellings. Northern areas.
Genus Dinothrombium
8 VELVET MITES
Bright red; looks like velvet cushion. Appears in sandy areas after rain. Preys on other invertebrates.