Where Does It Rain Spiders?

Spider rain has been a phenomenon in some parts of the world, including Brazil and Australia. Many people have seen spiders floating in the air or falling from the sky. It has even been documented in Texas.

One of the first descriptions of rain spiders was made by the German arachnologist Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1875. The word “rain” comes from their hairy appearance.

They are also called lizard-eating spiders. Though they are not venomous, their bite can be painful. They are generally harmless to humans, but they are often hunted by Pompilid wasps.

These spiders are typically found in homes and gardens. When it rains, they will move inside to keep warm and protected. Unlike other types of spiders, they do not make webs. But they will use silk strands to catch the air currents. This helps them get to new places.

Another way these spiders are able to stay in the air is by using mass ballooning. During this process, they use air currents to travel hundreds of kilometers. Once they reach a high point, they fire their silk into the air. This helps them disperse their young.

Sometimes, they are even blown far away. During spider rain, millions of spiders fell from the sky in Australia. Some reports indicate that they landed on people.

Rain spiders do not usually bite. However, they do secrete a moulting fluid that helps old and new exoskeletons separate.

These spiders are very protective of their nests and their young. Females are larger than males. Their legs can be up to 110mm long.