SCYTODIDAE - SPITTING SPIDER

FACT FILE - 256

Family

Scytodidae

Species

Scytodes thoracica
(Latreille, 1802)

Body Length

Female: 6mm
Male: 4mm

Habitat

In caves or man-made structures such as garages.

Toxicity

Minimal hazard due to fangs and chelicerae being unable to open wide (Atkinson)

Click on images to enlarge.

2561

Female

2562

Female

2563

Female

2564

Male

2565

Male

2566

Male. Facing view.

The spider spits two jets of sticky fluid, which immobilises its prey, then the spider catches its prey and eats it.