Ariamnes colubrinus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ariamnes colubrinus |
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| Whip spider at Chatswood West, Australia | |
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Argyrodes colubrinus |
The whip spider, also known as Ariamnes colubrinus, is a fascinating spider. It is a common type of spider found in Australia. You can spot them in places like Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. This spider belongs to a family called Theridiidae.
Whip spiders are quite small and thin. They often look a lot like a tiny twig! You might find them resting on just one or two strands of silk. They are clever hunters.
Hunting and Habits
The whip spider mostly eats other wandering spiders. It especially likes young spiders. Sometimes, it will also catch small insects.
How It Hunts
This spider is a patient hunter. It waits quietly above a few silk threads. These threads act like a trap. When a small wandering spider touches the silk, the whip spider knows it's time to act. It quickly drops down to catch its meal.
To secure its prey, the whip spider uses a special tool. It has a "comb foot" on its back legs. This comb foot helps the spider wrap its meal tightly in silk. This way, the prey cannot escape.
What Does It Look Like?
Whip spiders are long and slender. They are quite thin, which helps them blend in.
Size and Color
Male whip spiders are about 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long. Females are a bit bigger, reaching about 22 mm (0.87 in) in length. Their body color can vary. You might see them in cream, brown, or even greenish shades. They are often found about one meter above the ground.
Egg Sacs
Female whip spiders lay their eggs in special sacs. These egg sacs are about 4 by 3 mm (0.16 by 0.12 in) in size. Each sac has a small lip at its base. The mother spider hangs the egg sac from a single strong silk thread. Inside, there are usually 40 to 50 yellow-green eggs. Each egg is about 0.7 mm wide.
