How many species of spiders are there in Germany?
There are over 1,000 species of spiders in Germany. We only meet a few in our apartments, many are so tiny and inconspicuous that they can only be seen with a magnifying glass or microscope. But of all things one of the largest species seeks refuge in human proximity. You can often find these in basements, attics, or other living spaces.
Many people consciously encounter only a few species of spider in their life. There are those who live in the apartments and those who stand out in their dew-hung nets in late summer. There are also spider species that live on the hair roots of mammals, such as some mites. They are no exception in humans either, even if the thought is very uncomfortable. In most cases, the roommates go completely undetected.
The smallest species of spider belong to the mites
- Would you have thought that there are around 50,000 species of mites worldwide and these are among the be crazy belong? The tiny animals, like all their relatives, have eight legs. More than half live in the ground, but some are constantly around us.
- House dust mites (Dermatophagoides) are unfortunately one of the most common species of spider, even if you didn't realize that it was a tiny arachnid. It is not the mite itself, but its excrement that triggers an unpleasant house dust allergy in some people.
- All ticks also belong to the mites. There are around 20 types of ticks in Germany, with the common wood tick (Ixodes ricinus) being feared as a carrier of dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease.
The big spiders in Germany are harmless
- In addition to the tiny ones mentioned, there are often larger species of spiders in apartments and basements, which you may be disgusted with, but which are nonetheless harmless. The second largest group of spiders are the weaving spiders (Araneae). There are around 43,000 species worldwide, and around 1,000 in Germany.
- Quivering spiders (Pholcidae) with their extremely long legs can often be found in basements. The species living in Germany (five are known) immigrated from the Mediterranean area. They are often confused with the long-legged harvestmen. However, how to tell the difference between the two spider species is simple. In the harvester the body is undivided, in the trembling spider it is clearly divided into head and abdomen.
- The largest species commonly found in homes is the great angle spider (Tegenaria atrica). There are specimens that grow up to ten centimeters with their long legs. Other names for the animals are simply house spider or house angle spider. There are different types, but they are all similar in appearance.
- You may also be familiar with the garden spider or the wasp spider. The wolf spider is also noticeable as a large representative. They all cause disgust and fear, but are harmless to humans.
Spiders (arachnida) are not exactly one of the favorite animals in the house, although ...
There are almost only harmless spiders in Germany
- The aversion to animals in many people is unfounded, but it occurs frequently. Of the more than 1,000 species of spiders that live here, only a few are really dangerous to humans.
- These include the mites mentioned above, which live as parasites or cause damage as allergy-causing. Otherwise, almost all spider species are considered predators of To fly and others insects very useful animals.
- However, there is one type of venomous spider whose celizera (the mouthparts) can penetrate human skin. It is the thorn finger (Cheiracanthium punctorium) that prefers dry meadows in warmer regions. Its bite can be very painful and cause swelling that lasts longer. However, since the species is very rare, you need not be afraid of it. It is on the red list of endangered species in Germany. Thus, the bite of a thorn finger is definitely one of the outspoken rarities.
