Characteristics of tiger spider

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Although the colors of this spider remind us of the tiger, the real impact it generates has to do with its feat in making the web since, it is stronger than the steel thread and at the same time, maintains the thickness of this element. So that we have a broader and clearer idea of how powerful the web of this arachnid is, they are currently producing bulletproof vests and parachutes with silk than the thread of the tiger spider.

Its scientific name is Argiope bruennichi, however, the tiger spider is also identified by other very popular names among which stand out: garden spider, St. Andrew's spider, black spider or, wasp spider. As far as its texture is concerned, it is covered by short and fine hairs that make it look very attractive; the size of this arachnid is very noticeable so, it can be easily identified.

The tiger spider is very well endowed by a silver coloration and when observing it, we enjoy perfect black, yellow and white bands in the area of its limbs and abdomen. It should be noted that, this spider is considered one of the most spectacular species in the world of arachnids.

Among its characteristics we can appreciate that, the tiger spider is a very unique animal and to exemplify this I can highlight that, the legs that are facing the front and back making a silhouette of X, can easily turn them into great climbers, leaving aside the large size they have.

In some moments, we can see her protecting her ootheca, this being the place where she deposits her eggs and does so by covering with a layer of the greenish ceda that is hidden in the vegetation.

Another aspect that we can point out is that, the indicator sexual dimorphism that this specimen has specifies that, the female is usually larger than the male. Similarly, the latter does not have the same vivid tones on his body; this means that, only in the female we can notice these colors 100% feline.

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Referring to the habitat of the tiger spider it is known that this species can be found on the European continent, more accurately, in the Mediterranean area. Spain, Germany and a part of England are the places where this colorful arachnid is most found. Its level of expansion throughout the continent is also very remarkable since, in the year 1,950, they discovered it for the first time in the United Kingdom and, from that moment on, its expansion has developed throughout the country.

It should be noted that, in some regions of South America, they have managed to find some specimens of this spider, however, the illicit trade that exists with this species to use it as an exotic pet, has been responsible for rapidly promoting the destruction of its habitat; activity that is also exacerbated by deforestation and agriculture therefore, the tiger spider is currently part of the extensive list of CITES, the body responsible for promoting its protection.

For the tiger spider to be considered in its natural habitat, it must be surrounded by a wooded area, open areas and grasslands; perfect scenarios that they find in an urban garden. It is important to note that, in Spain this species can not be confused by another arachnid of the same genus, this being the Argiope trifasciata since, if there is this confusion it can be a reason to alter several very important factors in the development of all arachnid species in Europe.

Before knowing the diet of the tiger spider, it is essential to understand that it is a carnivorous animal and stands out for being a predator. At the time of executing their hunt, it makes use of ambush strategies, in this way they have the total freedom to wait for the prey. When they are at a considered distance, they begin to apply the technique of balancing in order to proceed to bite it with their fangs.

Another technique that these arachnids usually apply when feeding is that they build an extensive silk net and the purpose of this construction is to be able to trap their prey with total freedom. The tiger spider injects the poison it has in order to break down the flesh of its bait.

The digestive process that the tiger spider has after its feeding, is carried out from the outside, that is, the gastric juices that are injected into the prey, have a combination of peptides and proteins that allow to accelerate the decomposition. In the same way, this arachnid stores for a time considered the enzymes that took effect, an action that will allow it to suck its prey to digest it calmly.

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To culminate, the diet that this species of spiders has is based on flies, small butterflies, mosquitoes, bees and grasshoppers; species that you can easily catch in the sturdy, sticky web you build.

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