How Wide Are Cave Spiders?
WouterCave Spiders are smaller than regular spiders. They are mainly found in caves and mines. They are not photophobic, but have a low tolerance for light.
Their body lengths vary based on sex. A female can be between 12.9 and 15 mm in length. Males are smaller, at about 13mm.
They are most commonly found in caves, and are also found in railway tunnels. Adults can live for many decades, but juveniles are short-lived.
They are most often found in places with low light and free from cobwebs. In some cases, adult spiders may be observed outside of caves.
They are usually not aggressive. However, they can inflict an unpleasant “nip” when provoked. They are harmless to humans, and their venom is rarely harmful to large mammals.
A cave spider is usually slow and careful, but they do not rely completely on a web to catch prey. In fact, they may hold their breath underwater for up to 16 seconds. They are a different type of spider than epigean spiders.
They can fit through a gap just a block wide, but can also squeeze through diagonal gaps. During mating, a male pins a female in place.
They build a horizontal sheet-like web, and sometimes an egg sac. The eggs develop in the sac. It is made from tightly woven silk. It is about four centimetres high and about two and a half centimetres in diameter.
These spiders have an overall range from Scandinavia to North Africa. It is commonly called the orb-weaving cave spider.
