Table of Contents
Redback Spiders
Redback spiders, native to Australia, exhibit a unique mode of movement, attaching themselves to various items and spreading across different regions globally. Also known as black widow spiders in many parts of the world, they are identifiable by their distinctive red hourglass-shaped abdomen. These spiders, favoring dark areas, deliver bites that induce sharp pain, joint and muscle discomfort, and, in severe cases, symptoms like lowered blood pressure, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Particularly concerning for immunocompromised individuals, encountering redback spiders requires caution due to the potential for fatalities. Their preference for warmer environments makes it crucial to remain vigilant in regions where they may thrive.
Triangle Crab Spider
Measuring up to 6 millimeters, the triangle crab spider is a diminutive yet exceptional species found in various parts of Japan. Females boast a light green color with red and white markings on their abdomen, while males are golden brown with white and green markings. Thriving in sunny and dry areas, these spiders patiently wait to ambush their prey, making encounters likely during travels to different parts of the country.
Black and White Spiny Orb Weaver Spider
The black and white spiny orb weaver spider, a captivating species found in various parts of Japan, exhibits an alien-like appearance. With females sporting a protective exoskeleton, these spiders grow up to half an inch wide and employ their webs to capture and consume prey. Their distinct armor and lying-in-wait hunting strategy make them noteworthy inhabitants in the region.
Joro Spider
Joro spiders, unique to Japan and more common in Southeast Asia, carry cultural significance in Japanese mythology. Sporting black and yellow coloring with red accents on their abdomen, these spiders construct ornate webs to ensnare prey. Females can reach up to an inch in size, while males are slightly smaller. Despite their imposing appearance, bites from Joro spiders are generally harmless to humans due to their size.
Pantropical Jumping Spider
Measuring half an inch in length, the pantropical jumping spider thrives in Japan, featuring a tan stripe at the center of its body. Recognizable by a white stripe down their bodies and two white bodies on their abdomen, males are smaller than females. These friendly spiders, devoid of web-making habits, are agile hunters with excellent eyesight. Their hunting prowess is showcased as they stalk and pounce on prey in various habitats across the country.
Giant Golden Orb Weaver
The giant golden orb weaver, a sizable and distinctive spider found in various regions of Japan, comes in diverse colors, with yellow and black being common. Similar to Joro spiders, they are also known as giant crab spiders in some areas. Constructing large symmetrical orb-shaped webs for hunting, these spiders carry a risk of severe infection due to the bacteria they harbor. Known for their size and exceptional hunting abilities, it’s crucial to exercise caution when encountering giant golden orb weavers, as they wrap themselves around prey and consume them rapidly.
Bird-Dropping Spider
The bird-dropping spider, found in various parts of Japan, is colloquially known as the crab spider. Using a clever camouflage technique that mimics bird droppings in both smell and appearance, these spiders thrive in the tropical rainforests of Japan. Despite their dangerous nature, they are generally harmless to humans due to their size, measuring half an inch. Noteworthy for their unique appearance, they keep their legs curled in and utilize their disguise to hunt and swiftly consume prey.
Monkey Orb Weaver Spider
The monkey orb weaver spider is a prevalent species encountered in different parts of Japan. These small spiny spiders, coming in colors like brown and yellow, are often found hanging on vegetation, resembling monkeys. Both males and females are nearly the same size, and their survival strategy involves females engaging in battles until one remains. Despite their unique behavior, these spiders are harmless to humans, and encounters during travels to various parts of the country are common.
Wasp Spider
A recognizable species thriving across Japan, the wasp spider stands out with its appearance resembling candy drizzled with yellow and white chocolate. Females, larger than males, construct webs used to capture prey, especially flying insects. Known for reflecting UV light to attract insects into their webs, these spiders, although visually striking, deliver bites that are not as dangerous as their appearance may suggest.
Multi-colored Phintella Jumping Spider
Thriving in different areas around Japan, the multicolored Phintella jumping spider is an exceptional species known for its vibrant hues. Growing up to an inch long, these spiders avoid using webs to capture prey, instead constructing small hammocks where they patiently wait. With their large facing eyes and fluffy pedipalps, these spiders, coming in various colors, prefer tropical climates in different parts of Japan.
Pantropical Huntsman Spider
Common in warm, moist tropical environments across Japan, the pantropical huntsman spider, also known as the banana spider, stands out with its long, curvy legs. These spiders, resembling crabs, are harmless to humans despite their intimidating appearance. With flat, brown bodies featuring black spots, adult huntsman spiders can grow up to an inch long. The females carry their eggs in a sac near their faces until hatching, causing only minor pain, headache, and swelling if bitten.
Samurai Spider
The samurai spider is a common species thriving in various parts of Japan, often raised for spider battles, a tradition dating back over four centuries. These spiders, belonging to the garden spider family, create zigzag webs used for capturing various species, including mosquitoes. Thriving in plains, paddy fields, and gardens, they contribute to the unique landscape of Japan’s islands.
Diving Bell Spider
As the only aquatic species found in Japan, the diving bell spider inhabits various water bodies across the country. Living underwater for extended periods, these spiders surface once a day to replenish air. Growing up to half an inch, with females larger than males, they are adept and fast divers. Silvery with fine hairs, these spiders consume mosquito larvae, posing no danger to humans during encounters in the waterbodies around Japan.
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