Scorpions of Southern Africa

Family: Sparasidae

Genus: Palystes

This large brown spider is often found inside houses near lights during the night. During the day this often docile spider rests behind objects. In its natural habitat these spiders can be found on bushes and trees.

Rain Spider

These spiders do not make a web but rather actively hunt for large insects to prey upon. Their spines on their legs help the spider get a grip on struggling prey items. The spider pounches on prey, wraps its legs around the prey and delivers a fatal bite.

Their large fangs together with their weak venom cause pain. Note that he female is agressive when gaurding here eggs. Although their bite is painful there venom is of little conseqeuence to humam beings. Bites from this spider cause mild swelling and itching for a couple of days.

When threatened, these spiders wave their two front legs in the air. The black and white bands on the underside of their legs are characteristic of this spider. During defence, the open their fangs and spread their front legs open to make them look bigger than they actually are.

They are called rain spiders because they are often most active just before or just after it has rained.

Females make a fist sized egg sac, wrapped in leaves and silk. This egg sac is attached to vegetation by thick strands of web. The female gaurds the egg sac tenaciously until the young spiders emerge from the egg sac..

Although these creatures are harmless they cause quite a stir because of their large sze. If unwanted specimens are found in houses they should be carefully scooped-up and release elsewhere.

Rain Spider