Giant spider discovered
Published on: 25th October, 2009
LONDON: The gigantic female spider has been discovered, as it was assumed to be extinct until two Slovenian scientists discovered the creature still existed in South Africa and Madagascar.
They say it is the largest web-spinning spider known to science.
Biologist Matjaz Kuntner said, “I found that on average the females of this species are the largest among all the Nephila species. Which makes it evolutionary giants, so to speak.”
The spider is so rare it can only be seen on computer screens. It’s large size is attributed to the female while the male is much smaller.
Chairman of the Institute of Biology at Slovenian Academy of Sciences Matjaz Kuntner said, “When I say giant I refer to the female. The female body size is pretty gigantic. They reach leg span of 10 to 12 centimetres which is almost a human palm size.”
The spider is also able to weave a web of more than one metre in diameter.
The scientists believe the large size evolved to keep away smaller predators and produce more eggs.
But despite its size and venom, the spider is not dangerous for humans.
