Water Spider (Silver Spider)

Serebryanka spider is a unique water inhabitant. It lives in stagnant fresh water, rarely appears on the surface of the water, does not creep out to land. Widely distributed in Europe. The toxicity of poison is second only karakurt, tarantulas. Unusual creature is different from others types of bunches habitat, behavior, appearance, reproduction.

Photo and description of appearance

Water spider is a small arthropod, with a body length of up to 15 mm. Males are more females, which is unusual for many species. The color is light or dark brown.

On a note!

Silverfish is called because of the peculiarity to accumulate air bubbles around the abdomen.

The structure is typical - an oval convex abdomen, cephalothorax, 4 pairs of limbs, chelicera, pedipalps. A photo of a silver spider is presented below.

The whole body, legs are covered with long thick hairs. A special grease, which is produced by the spider glands, is concentrated on the surface. The secret holds air bubbles around the body, allowing the spider to breathe underwater.

Spider eye only 8. From the front of the cephalothorax the main ones are located - 2 large ones. They allow you to see images, shadows, silhouettes. Lateral - auxiliary, react to movement, flickering light, warn of the approach of prey, the enemy. A silver water spider responds well to water vibrations, vibration.

Lifestyle

Serebryanka lives in standing reservoirs with green vegetation. Spends most of his life under water. Occasionally, the abdomen protrudes to the surface to gain air. The unique structure of the legs allows the arthropod to swim and dive well.

A water spider lives in a house that makes out of the air in the shape of a bell. How exactly he does this is difficult to describe. Always always weaves a web, then fastens a bubble with air on it, gets carefully inside.

Interesting!

Females with males coexist peacefully in the neighborhood. The mating process is necessary in the house of the "lady". After the mating season, males retire to their home without fear for their own lives.

Life expectancy of silver silverfish is not more than 18 months. In winter, they form a tight cocoon from the web, climb inside or use empty shells. The entrance is closed with cobwebs, the house itself is attached to a plant, a cottage, stones. The young generation winters, a small number of old females.

Nutrition

The silver spider is a typical predator. To catch the victim builds trapping nets, stretches the threads to his house. While waiting, he sits inside, at the first hesitation of the web he rushes to check the gear. Aquatic insects, larvae, fry, and crustaceans become victims.

Initially, the spider injects poison, paralyzing the prey, then saliva. Under the action of special enzymes, the insides turn into a liquid mass, which the predator then sucks. If the silverfish does not feel hungry, drags the prey into its bell, and hangs it in reserve there.

Breeding

The female is a caring, responsible mother. After fertilization, forms a cocoon from the web, lays eggs from 50 to 100 pieces there. While the incubation period lasts, he sits in the house, eats nothing, waits for the replenishment of the family. After about 2 weeks, the calves appear.Mom lets them out on their own swimming. They build houses nearby or sail with the passage over long distances.

Poisonous or not for humans

The silver spider silverfish in toxicity of poison is in third place after karakurt, tarantula. However, it bites very rarely. A person can suffer by accident, pulling him out of the water along with the fish. The bite inflicts for the purpose of self-defense.

Redness, pain, burning, swelling, swelling appears on the body. In people prone to allergies, with weak immunity, small children spider bite there may be a deterioration in well-being. There is weakness, nausea, dizziness, headache, fever. The condition normalizes after a few days. To accelerate the therapeutic effect, antihistamines are taken.

A silver spider is kept as a pet in aquariums. Under artificially created conditions, arthropod lives for 18 months. Fed by insects.