Wrap-Around Spiders Are Real And They’re Nearly Impossible To Spot Before It’s Too Late
It's not hard to understand why the very thought of spiders gives many of us the heebie-jeebies. Maybe it's because we think of the arachnids' eight creepy, crawly legs. Maybe it's their fangs. Maybe it's just because we've seen Arachnophobia one too many times. But some spiders really change the game when it comes to ickiness.
Even from a distance, these two species of spider would be unwelcome guests in your home. When you see them up close in their natural environments, however, it's nightmare fuel strong enough to send even the bravest arachnid enthusiast running away in disgust!
Australia's wrap-around spider has all the tools necessary to fuel nightmares for any arachnophobe: it's got more eyes than it should, it's covered in prickly hairs, and it's only about five to nine millimeters long. But, oh boy, does it get creepier...
The spider that scientists dubbed Dolophones conifera didn't earn the nickname "wrap-around spider" for nothing. Rather, the spider has a concave underbelly, which lends itself to the survival technique that earned the nickname.
Conversely, the upper part of its body—made up of discs—looks like a shield. Put these two attributes together, and you get an aptly named spider that can hide from predators in a way totally terrifying to humans. Want to see?
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Take a look at this picture. No, this isn't an ordinary tree branch in the middle of the forest. One of these eight-legged camouflage experts is hiding right in plain sight. Can you spot it?