Imagine a spider that does cartwheels! That’s right, there’s a spider called the Cartwheel, and it’s found in the deserts of southern Africa. Instead of just running away, this tiny spider rolls super fast in the sand when it’s scared. Keep reading to know more about this fascinating creature!
The eggs are laid inside burrows in the sand dunes.
Cartwheel spiderlings are taken care of by the mother until they grow up enough to forage for themselves.
Yes, Cartwheel Spiders are venomous. But their venom is mainly for catching tiny bugs to eat, and it’s not very strong for humans.
Yes, Cartwheel Spiders can bite. They’re usually busy doing their cartwheels, but if they do bite, it’s just like a little pinch and not harmful to us.
Ecologically, Cartwheel Spiders contribute to the desert food web by preying on insects and other small invertebrates. Their predatory behavior helps control the population of these species, maintaining a balance within their ecosystem.
Natural Predators: Among its natural predators, the Cartwheel Spider faces threats from parasitic pompilid wasps, which can immobilize and use them as living food stores for their larvae. This predator-prey interaction is a stark example of the harsh realities within their desert environment.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The survival strategies of the Cartwheel Spider, including its venom used for hunting and its acrobatic escape maneuvers, illustrate the complex dynamics between predators and prey in the desert biome.
Relationship with Humans: While the Cartwheel Spider is venomous, it poses little to no threat to humans. Its bite is mild and typically results in no more than a minor pinch. Humans rarely encounter these spiders due to their secluded desert habitat.
| Other Names | Golden wheel spider, wheel spider |
| Lifespan | 720 to 770 days |
| Distribution | The Namib Desert in the southern parts of Africa |
| Habitat | Sand dunes |
| Common predators | Pompilid wasps (a parasitic species) |
| Diet | Insects and other small invertebrates |
In summary, the Cartwheel Spider is an exceptional species, perfectly adapted to its desert surroundings. Its behavior, including the iconic rolling escape tactic, is a testament to the adaptive capabilities of spiders.
Image Credits: Abc.net.au, Media4.s-nbcnews.com, C1.peakpx.com, Media.istockphoto.com, D.ibtimes.co.uk
Imagine a spider that does cartwheels! That’s right, there’s a spider called the Cartwheel, and it’s found in the deserts of southern Africa. Instead of just running away, this tiny spider rolls super fast in the sand when it’s scared. Keep reading to know more about this fascinating creature!
The eggs are laid inside burrows in the sand dunes.
Cartwheel spiderlings are taken care of by the mother until they grow up enough to forage for themselves.
Yes, Cartwheel Spiders are venomous. But their venom is mainly for catching tiny bugs to eat, and it’s not very strong for humans.
Yes, Cartwheel Spiders can bite. They’re usually busy doing their cartwheels, but if they do bite, it’s just like a little pinch and not harmful to us.
Ecologically, Cartwheel Spiders contribute to the desert food web by preying on insects and other small invertebrates. Their predatory behavior helps control the population of these species, maintaining a balance within their ecosystem.
Natural Predators: Among its natural predators, the Cartwheel Spider faces threats from parasitic pompilid wasps, which can immobilize and use them as living food stores for their larvae. This predator-prey interaction is a stark example of the harsh realities within their desert environment.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The survival strategies of the Cartwheel Spider, including its venom used for hunting and its acrobatic escape maneuvers, illustrate the complex dynamics between predators and prey in the desert biome.
Relationship with Humans: While the Cartwheel Spider is venomous, it poses little to no threat to humans. Its bite is mild and typically results in no more than a minor pinch. Humans rarely encounter these spiders due to their secluded desert habitat.
| Other Names | Golden wheel spider, wheel spider |
| Lifespan | 720 to 770 days |
| Distribution | The Namib Desert in the southern parts of Africa |
| Habitat | Sand dunes |
| Common predators | Pompilid wasps (a parasitic species) |
| Diet | Insects and other small invertebrates |
In summary, the Cartwheel Spider is an exceptional species, perfectly adapted to its desert surroundings. Its behavior, including the iconic rolling escape tactic, is a testament to the adaptive capabilities of spiders.
Image Credits: Abc.net.au, Media4.s-nbcnews.com, C1.peakpx.com, Media.istockphoto.com, D.ibtimes.co.uk
Roy Williams on April 17, 2019.
Spider Team
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