Top 10 Coolest Spiders

9th Place:

Myrmarachne Formicaria

• Size: 0.2 inches (5-6 mm) (body length)
• Distribution: Central Europe
• Habitat: Wet banks, wet meadows, orchards, dry grassland
• Order: Araneae
• Scientific name: Myrmarachne formicaria
• Dangerous for humans: No

Hunting Strategy

"Dressing up like an ant"

In the photo, you’ll see an ant. Or maybe not? Could it be a wolf in sheep’s clothing - or rather a spider in ant’s clothing? The myrmarachne formicaria disguises itself as an ant. And lots of its relatives do too.

Mimicry

In biology, this is called mimicry. This describes how some creatures don’t just look similar by accident. Looking as dangerous as a wasp or as harmless as an ant can save your life. Just like this spider, who doesn’t look like a tasty spider snack to its predators, but disappears into the swarm of ants.

Fun Fact

In Germany, the ant jumping spider was "spider of the year" 2019.

Ant-Mimicking Jumping Spider - Photo: Ang Kean Leng/Shutterstock

• Table of Contents:
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Trapdoor Spider
• 2. Ant-Mimicking Jumping Spider
• 3. Net-Casting Spider
• 4. Spitting Spider
• 5. Theridion nigroannulatumi
• 6. Bagheera Kiplingi
• 7. Bolas Spider
• 8. Diving Bell Spider
• 9. Evarcha culicivora
• 10. Portia