Celaenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Celaenia |
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| possibly C. excavata | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Araneidae |
| Subfamily: | Cyrtarachninae s.l. |
| Genus: | Celaenia Thorell, 1868 |
| Type species | |
| C. excavata (L. Koch, 1867)
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| Species | |
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11, see text |
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Celaenia is a special group of orb-weaver spiders. These spiders are mostly found in the South Pacific region. They were first described by a scientist named Tamerlan Thorell in 1868.
What makes Celaenia spiders super interesting is their amazing camouflage. They are often called bird-dropping spiders because they look exactly like bird droppings! This helps them hide from predators like birds. It also helps them surprise their prey.
Amazing Disguise
Celaenia spiders are masters of disguise. They often sit on leaves or branches. Their bodies are usually lumpy and have colors like white, brown, and black. This makes them look just like a fresh bird dropping.
This clever trick helps them stay safe. Birds flying overhead won't notice them. They just think it's a messy spot on a leaf. This disguise also helps them catch insects. Insects might not see the spider either.
Where They Live
These unique spiders live in different parts of the South Pacific. You can find them in countries like Australia and New Zealand. They prefer places with lots of plants and trees. This is where they can easily blend in.
They build simple webs, unlike many other orb-weavers. Some Celaenia spiders don't even build a full web. Instead, they might use a single silk line to catch their prey.
Different Kinds of Celaenia Spiders
As of April 2019, there are eleven known types of Celaenia spiders. Each one is a bit different. But they all share that amazing bird-dropping disguise. Here are some of the species:
- Celaenia atkinsoni – Found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
- Celaenia calotoides – Lives in New South Wales, Australia.
- Celaenia distincta – Found in New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia.
- Celaenia dubia – Lives in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia.
- Celaenia excavata – Found in Australia and New Zealand. This is a well-known bird-dropping spider.
- Celaenia hectori – Lives in New Zealand.
- Celaenia olivacea – Found in New Zealand.
- Celaenia penna – Lives in New Zealand.
- Celaenia tuberosa – Found in New Zealand.
- Celaenia tumidosa – Lives in Tasmania, Australia.
- Celaenia voraginosa – Found in Tasmania, Australia.
These spiders are a great example of how animals adapt to their environment. Their unique look helps them survive and thrive in their habitats.
