Worryingly described by entomologists and arachnologists as a “not uncommon” occurrence in certain parts of the globe, spider rain can see anywhere from a few thousand to several million spiders tumble from the sky in a given area, seemingly out of nowhere. So what causes it?
Residents in a rural area of southern Minas Gerais state have reported skies “raining spiders”, a phenomenon which experts say is typical in the region during hot, humid weather. Photos and videos shared on social media show hundreds of spiders hanging in the sky.
That is quite the sight, but picture this — millions of tiny spiders raining from the sky. While it can sound like something out of a horror movie, in Australia the transition from late summer to fall can trigger what is known to the locals as spider season.
“Spider rain” happens when large groups of arachnids migrate all at once, using a technique called “ballooning.” According to a 2001 study in the Journal of Arachnology, the spiders will spin out dozens of silk strands at once so that they fan out and form a triangular parachute, allowing the clever critters to catch a ...
In 2012, record rains in the same Australian region spurred a mass ballooning event. In that case, ballooning allowed the spiders "to move out of places where they'd surely be drowned," Robert Matthews, a professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Georgia, said of that event.
Millions of spiders cover Australia with a sea of webs
They're made by sheetweb spiders in Victoria. It's an arachnophobe's worst nightmare: towns draped in spider webs.
In Australia they are only found in the southeastern part of the country, from South Australia to Queensland via Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. You won't find them in the dry and arid zones. On the other hand, huntsman and wolf-spiders are found all over the country.
Poisonous spiders like the Sydney funnel-web come out in spring when the weather starts to warm and while the soil is still damp from winter rains. November would be a good time to see them.
Rain spiders
They're brown in colour with light and dark bands on the underside of their legs. This docile spider feeds on insects and small vertebrates. Their bites cause a mild pain similar to a bee sting and may be itchy for a while.
Australia's biggest spiders belong to the same family as the Goliath Spider. They are the whistling spiders. The northern species Selenocosmia crassipes can grow to 6 cm in body length with a leg span of 16 cm.
Verdict: It is possible for fish to fall from the sky during a storm. But it is extremely unlikely, especially in Australia, where the types and intensities of tornadoes are not the same as those reported in some other parts of the world.
Worryingly described by entomologists and arachnologists as a “not uncommon” occurrence in certain parts of the globe, spider rain can see anywhere from a few thousand to several million spiders tumble from the sky in a given area, seemingly out of nowhere.
A large species of tarantula native to the east coast region of Australia, the whistling spider, is the largest spider in the country. As the largest spider in Australia, whistling spiders can grow a leg span of up to 16 cm (6.2 inches) and a body size of around 6 cm (2.3 inches).
Spiders that glide through the air are real. In fact, there are several types of spiders that glide. Many of these belong to the species Larinioides sclopetarius. The Gray Cross spider is known for its gliding skills.
Spider bites are usually harmless, and spiders don't usually bite unless threatened. Spider bites can cause redness, pain and swelling, or you might not notice them at all. Many other bug bites and skin sores cause redness, pain and swelling.
It has a body length of 15–36 mm and a leg span of up to 110mm. The species was first described by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1875. Its preferred habitat is scrubland and savannah woodland. Spiders in the genus Palystes are commonly called rain spiders, or lizard-eating spiders.
You should never attempt to suck out or remove venom from a spider bite. Instead, follow these steps: Clean the bite area with warm water and soap. Apply a cold, damp washcloth or an ice pack to the bite area.
The Sydney funnelweb spider Atrax robustus, is considered to be the world's most dangerous spider. It is found within a 100 km diameter circle around Sydney. No deaths have occurred since the advent of an antivenom in 1981.
Sydney prides itself on safety, deep culture, and friendly communities. It is considered the fifth safest city in the world and Australia's safest city.
It's a migration technique called "ballooning," and spiders do it all the time. Australian Museum naturalist Martyn Robinson told the Sydney Morning Herald that "spiders have been caught flying like this up to three kilometres above the ground."
An estimated 5 per cent of Australians have arachnophobia, but there are plenty of others happy to get close to the creepy crawlies. "People find it thrilling," said Catherine Timbrell, the producer of a major exhibition on spiders opening on Saturday at the Australian Museum.
“It's probably because of the urban heat-island effect and prey availability,” says Lowe. “Most invertebrates will grow to larger sizes if they are warmer. They are very sensitive to temperatures.” Urbanisation probably benefits these spiders in several ways, she says.
In Australia only 2700 species, in 500 genera and 78 families, have been described out of an estimated 10,000 species. Many species of spiders contribute to the biological control of pests in crops.