Although it is known that spiders are not typically dangerous or poisonous, their appearance is creepy and frightening. This fact has not yet occurred to many people simply because the usual ones we see from time to time no longer frighten us. However, there are a few other species of spiders that I’m sure you didn’t know existed in Africa. If you get scared so easily, you might not even be able to look at these creatures because I bet they look so hideous! Just pray that none of them contradict your point of view in real life any day of your life or that you are scared out of your mind. We have here the 17 most petrifying spiders on the African continent. The list is not created in any order,
1. Baboon spider (Harpactirinae) – tarantulas of Africa
If you should come across a spider with this terrifying appearance right in your bedroom, you will definitely get goosebumps in seconds! Harpactirinae (commonly referred to as baboon spiders) are a subfamily of tarantulas native to the African continent. Be careful because like many tarantulas, they have powerful venom and can inflict a painful bite. But fear not, most baboon spiders are not considered dangerous to humans.
2. Scorpion-tailed Spider
I’m sure you’ve never caught a glimpse of this type of spider before. The Scorpion Tailed Spider ‘s body is various shades of brown, but most commonly fawn, with a black tip at the end of the abdomen. The female has a long tail that can be curled over the body, making it look a bit like a scorpion. She weaves a small ball network in the bushes. The male is smaller and tailless and may be at the edge of the web. You can find this spider on the African wonder island of Madagascar.
3. Ogre-Faced Spider (Deinopidae)
Creepy, isn’t it? Deinopidae are rod-shaped elongated spiders that form unusual webs that they suspend between their front legs. They are also known as web spiders. This is due to the way they catch their prey: when prey approaches, the spider stretches the web to two or three times its relaxed size and propels itself onto the prey, entangling it in the web. With the looks, you don’t need to be told it’s ready for a fight.
4. Six-eyed sand spider ( Sicarius Hahni )
Found in the deserts of southern Africa , the six-eyed sand spider has legs that can reach four inches in length. It is sometimes called the Six-Eyed Crab Spider because of its low, flattened stance. Although the species rarely bites humans, experiments have shown that its venom is toxic enough to kill a rabbit in a matter of hours. The genus name Sicarius is Latin for “murderer”, from sica , a curved dagger, so better steer clear!
5. Jumping Spider (Evarcha Culicivora)
This is bloody horrific and can make your hair stand on end at first sight! Also known as vampire spiders because of their unusual taste for human blood, they primarily feed on female Anopheles mosquitoes, which feed on human blood and also carry the malaria parasite. Oddly enough, they can recognize a blood-filled mosquito and prefer it to an unfed one. It was reported that at some point in Kenya, a group of jumping spiders attacked people, leaving two dead from their venomous stings! These types of spiders are mainly from Kenya and Uganda.
See also – Weird Animals: 10 Bizarre Animals of Africa
6. Hunter Spider (Giant Crab Spiders)
The huntsman spider is brown, huge, and generally fearsome. They are known as huntsman spiders due to their speed and hunting style, however, they are fairly harmless. They are also called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. Their legs are hairy and can span more than 3 inches. Females can become very aggressive in defending their eggs. Be careful! Huntsman spiders hunt at night and sleep during the day, and their flattened abdomen allows them to fit into tight cracks and crevices for rest and protection. They are called rain spiders in southern Africa because they tend to be more active before and after rain and like to crawl into people’s homes during this time.
7. Button Spider (Latrodectus)
The “button” spider’s name derives from the shape of its abdomen, which is button-like. This particular spider has different species in different parts of the African continent. It is particularly well known that their bites are venomous and have the ability to kill a child and seriously injure an adult. The females are also called widow spiders because, bizarrely, they kill their mate as soon as they’re done with them!