The Atypus karschi is a member of the family of purse web spiders or atypical tarantulas. In his honor, the specific name of this spider was given after German arachnologist Ferdinand Anton Franz Karsch.
Atypus karschi
Size: 1.7 to 2 cm (0.67 to 0.79 in)
Color: They are dark brown or black in color.
Other Characteristic Features: Similar to other spiders in its genus, it has pointed down fangs instead of crossed ones.
The eggs are laid inside the female’s webbing.
When they hatch, the spiderlings are fully capable and can aerially disperse by ballooning.
This spider spins a silken tube hidden partially underground, with the portion above ground covered in leaf litter. It waits for prey to approach its hidden trap, and then bites through the silk to pull it inside.
Their venom isn’t very potent, as they are primarily ambush predators. However, their bite could cause a mild reaction, leaving behind redness and temporary swelling.
| Lifespan | 8-10 years |
| Distribution | China, Japan, and Taiwan |
| Habitat | Fallow fields, forests, riparian woods, and suburban bushes |
| Common Predators | Birds, small mammals, and other spiders |
| Diet | Carabid beetles, millipedes, snails, and woodlice |
Image Source: arachnology.cz
The Atypus karschi is a member of the family of purse web spiders or atypical tarantulas. In his honor, the specific name of this spider was given after German arachnologist Ferdinand Anton Franz Karsch.
Atypus karschi
Size: 1.7 to 2 cm (0.67 to 0.79 in)
Color: They are dark brown or black in color.
Other Characteristic Features: Similar to other spiders in its genus, it has pointed down fangs instead of crossed ones.
The eggs are laid inside the female’s webbing.
When they hatch, the spiderlings are fully capable and can aerially disperse by ballooning.
This spider spins a silken tube hidden partially underground, with the portion above ground covered in leaf litter. It waits for prey to approach its hidden trap, and then bites through the silk to pull it inside.
Their venom isn’t very potent, as they are primarily ambush predators. However, their bite could cause a mild reaction, leaving behind redness and temporary swelling.
| Lifespan | 8-10 years |
| Distribution | China, Japan, and Taiwan |
| Habitat | Fallow fields, forests, riparian woods, and suburban bushes |
| Common Predators | Birds, small mammals, and other spiders |
| Diet | Carabid beetles, millipedes, snails, and woodlice |
Image Source: arachnology.cz
