There are about 2500 species of spider in southern Africa, occurring in a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats (including the intertidal zone). When identifying a spider, take note of the following:

• General size and shape - Spiders are very diverse creatures ranging in size from a leg span of just a few millimetres to over 16cm. Spiders that live on the ground usually have legs of equal length, spiders that live in a web often have an elongated first pair of legs.
• Colouration and anatomy - The spider’s general colouration or unique markings and patterns can be a reliable indicator of species. Spider taxonomy closely relies upon eye patterns with which to classify spiders into families.
• Behaviour - many species of spider exhibit characteristic behaviour which can be used in identification. Some spiders jump, walk in a unique way, or react characteristically when threatened. A spider can be nocturnal or diurnal.
• Distribution and shelter (web) - Spiders are not randomly distributed throughout the environment, but rather seek out specific areas in which to make their shelter or spin a web. Fishing Spiders can be found near water, Daddy Long-Legs Spiders prefer dark out of the way places, and adult Golden Orb-Web Spiders spin a distinctively gold coloured web.

With time and practice, identifying the common species of spider will become easier. There are many good books on spiders available from your local bookshop or online store. For a more in-depth experience, join someone who is knowledgeable on spiders on a walk or course.

Every week, I receive a large number of messages regarding spiders. Sifting through these messages uncovers the collective values and beliefs that the average person has towards these creatures. For instance, when I’m asked, “how dangerous is it?”, it indicates to me how the persons values and beliefs towards spiders are based upon what they do not know, rather than what they know. When I’m told “I had to kill it, better to be safe than sorry”, then I have to disagree, because it is far better to live with knowledge and understanding than to react in ignorance.

I can appreciate how this ignorance enters the human intellect. When we do not know something, such as is a spider dangerous? We have a gap in our understanding. As humans we are uncomfortable with these gaps, and therefore make an effort to plug that gap. When we find some information that plugs this gap and aligns with our values and beliefs, we adopt it as fact. It does not matter if this adopted ‘fact’ originates from misinformation, folklore or social media gossip, it becomes ‘reality’ in our mind.

You cannot address someones fear of spiders using facts, because their fear is not based upon fact in the first place! The question of should we be afraid of spiders, has got nothing to do with reality, but more about how “reality” is filtered through our values and beliefs. According to the statistics, spiders are not a danger or a threat. If you want to talk about dangerous aspects of our lives, then we should be talking about fast food, smoking, alcohol consumption, driving a car, taking vitamins, and stepping out of the bath tub.

When I’m asked what the value of a spider is, what I’m really being asked is, what is the value of a spider, within the context of someone else’s values and beliefs. If these values and beliefs are aligned to how the natural environment functions and operates, then the value of a spider is obvious. If someones values and beliefs are disconnected from how the natural environment functions and operates, then the value of a spider will be difficult to comprehend.

Regardless of how connected we are to the natural world, we have to recognise that if an animal exists, it adds value in its own unique way, even though this value may not be obvious to us. We have to be prepared to accept that there are many things that we do not understand about the world. To think that we know everything about everything is testament to the egotistical mindset of mankind that is at the root cause of so many of the challenges that we face as a society.

The diversity and sheer number of spiders is testament to the role that they play in the ecosystem. Examples of how spiders demonstrate value is through the principles of biomimicry. Spider silk is a material that is anti-bacterial, stronger than steel at the same diameter, super stretchy and sticky, it pulls water molecules out of the air and is electrostatic! Spiders add value in their own innate way. Understanding what that value is depends on our understanding and comprehension of the world.

The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report of 2020 showed that since 1970, human activities and influence have decreased populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles by on average 68%. The disappearance of insects and spiders around lights at night is testament to the consequences of a society that we are all part of.

Legislation pertains to the larger species of spider, simply because they have been targeted by poachers who collect spiders for the pet trade. There are 3 layers of legislation aimed at protecting South Africa spiders.

• CITES regulates international trade of endangered animals and plants. None of South African spider species are protected by CITES.

• National legislation in the form of TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) includes all Baboon Spiders.

• Depending upon the province, provincial legislation dictates that permits are necessary to collect, keep and transport, inter-province import and export of certain indigenous species of spider.

Why the need for legislative protection? Poaching for the pet trade, habitat destruction and the use of insecticide (commercial farming) exerts a huge negative influence upon spider populations. The following conservation efforts not only help to protect spiders but all other animals. Having your say in development applications, not killing spiders intentionally, avoiding the use of insecticides and pesticides, keeping domestic cats indoors at all times, never buy wild animals or support the pet trade. If you see anyone collecting spiders, immediately report them to the local authorities.

Out of about 2500 species of spider in southern Africa, only 18 species are considered medically important. Spider venom is not designed to catch humans, but rather as a secondary defence mechanism. The following kinds of venom are common in spiders:

• Neurotoxic venom - disrupt the nervous system and include symptoms such as localised pain, pins and needles, numbness, muscle cramps, mild swelling and in extreme cases, paralysis. Life threatening symptoms from neurotoxins are often a result of paralysis of the respiratory system.
• Cytotoxic venom - effect body tissue, usually muscle tissue. Symptoms include localise swelling, pain, and in time tissue damage. Such symptoms can be slow to develop, and if not treated effectively, can lead to permanent disability, or in extreme cases, amputation of the effected limb.

Spider bite misdiagnosis is very common which creates the misperception that spiders are a legitimate health threat. Many people claim they have been bitten by a spider even though there is no evidence to suggest so. If the spider was not seen then a good question to ask is, ‘What makes you think that a spider is the cause of the symptoms?”

A spider bite can be easily self treated at home. The only spider bite related medical emergency is a bite from a Button Spider. The South African Vaccine Producers, manufacture Latrodectus (Button Spider) antivenom.