Are There Inside and Outside Spiders?

Ever found yourself wondering if all spiders live in their webs, or if some prefer to wander our homes and gardens? The short answer is yes, there are indeed both types of spiders - those that spin webs and those that don't. But let's delve deeper into the fascinating world of these eight-legged creatures to understand their behaviors better.

Spiders are diverse, with over 50,000 identified species worldwide. This diversity is reflected in their habitats and hunting strategies. Some spiders are web-spinners, while others are wanderers or even live under the surface. Let's explore these distinct groups and their unique adaptations.

Web-spinning Spiders (Inside Spiders)

Many spiders we encounter in and around our homes are web-spinners. These include common species like the house spider, cellar spider, and orb-weaving spiders. Web-spinners, as the name suggests, trap their prey in silk webs they spin. They're often seen inside houses, in webs located in corners, under furniture, or even in bathroom showers.

Web-spinning spiders are patient predators, waiting for their prey to get stuck in their sticky webs. Once a struggle is detected, the spider rushes to wrap and inmobilize its prey before feeding. Their webs serve as both a hunting ground and a protective shelter, giving them an advantage in terms of strength and size when compared to non-web-spinning spiders.

Orb Weavers

Orb weavers are one of the most recognizable web-spinning spiders. They create intricate, spiral-like webs that catch their prey. These spiders spin new webs each night, recycling silk from old webs to create new ones. Orb weavers typically build their webs outside, often in gardens or near windows, where they can catch flying insects.

Interestingly, orb weavers have special scales on their eyes that help to reflect ultraviolet light, allowing them to see their webs more clearly. This adaptation is particularly useful when they're sitting in the center of their web waiting for prey, as it helps them maintain a good perspective of their entire web.

Sheet-web Spiders

Sheet-web spiders, on the other hand, spin flat, sheet-like webs. These spiders, like theulingite or Wolf spider, hang upside down from the center of their web, often waiting for prey to wander into their trap. Sheet-web spiders are typically larger than orb weavers and have a faster reaction time, enabling them to catch fast-moving prey.

Instead of hanging around in their webs all day, sheet-web spiders often move their webs around to catch different types of prey. They'll wrap up any snacks they catch in silk, save them for later, and take them back to their retreats (like a burrow or crack in the wall) where they keep them in their silk-lined store rooms.

Wandering Spiders (Outside Spiders)

Not all spiders build webs to catch their prey. Instead, many rely on their speed, stealth, or other unique adaptations to stalk and capture prey on the go. These spiders don't have permanent homes but rather travel from place to place, performing their hunting prowess along the way.

Wandering spiders are often more active than their web-spinning cousins, as they need to constantly search for food. Many of them are great climbers and runners, with exceptional vision that helps them spot prey over extensive distances. Some even use vibrations to sense prey, like the trapdoor spiders or ant-eating spiders.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are among the most agile and visually stunning wandering spiders. They're known for their ability to jump incredible heights and distances to catch their prey. Unlike web-spinning spiders, jumping spiders chase down their victims, often only a few centimeters away.

Despite their arboreal nature, many jumping spiders can be commonly found indoors. Their impressive agility makes them great hunters, allowing them to catch other spiders, flies, beetles, and even small vertebrates. Female jumping spiders also display distinctive color patterns to attract males, making them a fascinating species to observe.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are another type of wandering spiders that are quite adept at catching prey on the ground. They're known for carrying their egg sacs around on their backs, which can sometimes give the impression that there's a 'face' on the underside of their abdomen.

Unlike jumping spiders, wolf spiders have poor eyesight, which they compensate for by having exceptional hearing. They use vibrations to detect nearby movement, allowing them to track prey. Wolf spiders are also renowned for their adventurous nature, readily exploring new environments and even occasionally invading homes.

Next time you encounter a spider, take a moment to observe its behavior and appearance. There's a good chance you'll be able to identify it as a web-spinner or a wanderer. Understanding these divisions in spider behavior can help us appreciate the incredibly diverse world of spiders and their unique adaptations.