Spitting Spider
Scytodes thoracica
Scytodidae (Spitting Spiders), Order Araneae. Key family characteristics include a domed carapace that houses specialized venom and silk glands combined in a single large organ.
Physical Description
The spider has a distinctively domed, pear-shaped cephalothorax that is notably raised and larger relative to its slender abdomen. Its body is smooth with minimal hair, built for housing specialized internal anatomy.
Size Estimate
Body length typically ranges from 3 to 6 millimeters with a leg span of approximately 15 to 25 millimeters. The specimen appears to be an adult or sub-adult.
Coloration & Markings
Features a yellowish or pale tan base coloration with characteristic dark brown or black spots and stripes radiating across the domed carapace and forming prominent dark bands along the slender legs.
Web Type
Spitting spiders do not build traditional webs to capture prey. Instead, they actively hunt at night, though they may spin small, messy retreat webs in crevices during daylight hours.
Eye Arrangement
Possesses six eyes arranged in three dyads (pairs) forming a semi-circle on the front of the head, which is unusual compared to the typical eight-eyed pattern of most true spiders.
Leg Characteristics
The legs are long, slender, and distinctly banded with dark spots and rings. They lack heavy spination but are specialized for quick maneuvering and positioning during their unique spitting attack.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Uses a combination of fast-acting neurotoxic venom and sticky silk simultaneously. The venom is potent enough to rapidly immobilize small insect prey.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. Their chelicerae are far too small to pierce human skin, and they pose no medical danger whatsoever.
Safety Recommendations
No safety precautions are necessary as these spiders are completely harmless. If relocation is desired, gently guide the spider into a cup using a piece of paper and release it in a sheltered outdoor area.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Widely distributed across the Holarctic region, including Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Prefers warm, dark indoor environments such as houses, basements, and cellars, as well as sheltered outdoor habitats under loose bark and stones.
Behavior & Temperament
A nocturnal, slow-moving hunter that relies on stealth rather than speed. Completely docile toward humans and generally tries to flee or remain motionless when disturbed.
Diet & Prey
Feeds primarily on small insects, including silverfish, flies, ants, and other spiders. It captures prey by stealthily approaching and spitting a zig-zag stream of venom-laced silk from its chelicerae to pin the prey to the substrate.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors where temperatures remain stable, with increased foraging activity during the warmer spring and summer months.
Description
The spitting spider is one of the most fascinating arachnids found inside homes, easily recognized by its unusually domed, hump-backed cephalothorax and tiger-like banded legs. Rather than waiting in a web, it stalks prey in the dark, using a specialized hydraulic mechanism to spit a sticky, venomous web-glue mixture that instantly immobilizes unsuspecting insects. Completely harmless to humans, it serves as a welcome, quiet roommate that helps control household pests.
Key Features
Distinguished by its conspicuously domed, pear-shaped carapace, pale yellowish body with dark spots, six eyes arranged in three pairs, and slender banded legs.
Similar Species
Can be occasionally confused with cellar spiders (Pholcidae) due to long legs, but cellar spiders have much smaller, flatter carapaces, lack the distinctive spotted banding pattern, and build messy spatial webs.
Life Cycle
Females produce a small silk egg sac containing around 20 to 50 eggs, which the female often carries in her jaws until the spiderlings hatch and undergo their first molts.
Ecological Importance
Acts as an effective natural predator of household pests and small arthropods, helping to regulate insect populations within human dwellings and natural microhabitats.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but populations are stable, widespread, and well-adapted to living alongside human habitations.
Interesting Facts
Spitting spiders are the only known animals that possess combined venom and silk glands, ejecting a dual stream of adhesive silk and venom from their mouthparts in a fraction of a second to capture prey.
Photography Tips
Use macro lenses with good side-lighting to highlight the domed carapace and distinct leg banding. Since they are slow-moving, patience and a stable tripod yield the sharpest identification photos.
Identified: 2026-09-03T12:53:09.823802