Spiders of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest landlocked country in the world, is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including many species of spiders. These fascinating arachnids come in all shapes and sizes, and they play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling the populations of insects and other small creatures. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most interesting spiders of Kazakhstan.

1. European black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus)

The European black widow is a venomous spider that can be found throughout Europe and Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. This spider is easily recognized by its black body and distinctive red hourglass-shaped markings on its abdomen. The venom of the European black widow is highly toxic, and a bite can be fatal, so it is important to avoid contact with this spider.

1. Huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria)

The Huntsman spider, also known as the giant crab spider, is a large and hairy spider that is commonly found in Kazakhstan. This spider has long, thin legs and a flattened body, which allows it to hide in tight spaces. Huntsman spiders are not venomous to humans, but they can be intimidating due to their size.

1. Jumping spider (Salticidae)

Jumping spiders are a diverse group of spiders that are found all over the world, including Kazakhstan. These spiders are known for their excellent vision and agility, and they are able to jump many times their own body length. Jumping spiders are not venomous to humans and are harmless.

1. Wolf spider (Lycosidae)

The wolf spider is a large and hairy spider that is common in Kazakhstan. This spider is named after its hunting behavior, as it actively hunts for prey rather than waiting for it to come to a web. Wolf spiders are not venomous to humans and are generally harmless, but they can be intimidating due to their size.

1. Crab spider (Thomisidae)

The crab spider is a small and colorful spider that is commonly found in Kazakhstan. These spiders are named after their crab-like appearance and their ability to walk sideways. Crab spiders are not venomous to humans and are generally harmless, but they can be difficult to spot due to their ability to blend in with their surroundings.

In conclusion, Kazakhstan is home to a diverse range of spiders, each with their own unique characteristics and behaviors. While some of these spiders are venomous and should be avoided, the majority of them are harmless and play an important role in the ecosystem. Whether you are a spider enthusiast or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, the spiders of Kazakhstan are a fascinating and captivating subject to explore.

This book is devoted to spiders of one of the poorly studied regions of the Earth, the Republic of Kazakhstan, which lies in Central Asia. To date, there is no single catalogue or illustrated identification guide to the spiders of Kazakhstan. Therefore, this book constitutes the first major documentation of this interesting fauna, providing a richly illustrated popular account of 176 spider species of 41 families, which represent most of the genera (except those of Linyphiidae) recorded from Kazakhstan. The general appearance of 45 species is illustrated in colour for the first time. The book also contains complete checklists of all the arachnids, apart from Acari (mites and ticks), recorded from Kazakhstan to date: Araneae (spiders) – 978 species; Opiliones (harvestmen) – 21 species; Solifugae (camel spiders) – 13 species; Scorpiones (scorpions) – five species; and Pseudoscorpiones (false-scorpions) – 25 species. Click the cover to go to the product page an order your copy today.