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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) is one of New Zealand's largest and rarest species of spiders. These spiders are famous for living in caves and their long claws. A Spelungula cavernicola Nelson cave spider was given its name from ancient Latin language, where 'spelunca' meant 'cave' and was feminine in gender. The other side cavernicola points towards a species that likes to live in a cave or is restricted to it. These Nelson cave spider spelungula are a native species from New Zealand and are one of the largest spiders.
The first two pairs of legs can have a leg span as long as 5.1 in (13 cm), they also have a long claw. Their long claws are very useful as they often stay clung to the wall waiting for their prey and then drop down on them from above.
To dive more into this universe of surprising animals and incredible insects, don't forget to check out our articles on black house spiders and orb-weaver spiders.
As the name suggests, the cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) is a type of spider found in the caves of Nelson and Buller regions.
The Spelungula cavernicola Nelson cave spider belongs to the Arachnida class. Some people very often confuse these spiders with sheet web spiders due to their large bodies. Although, the cave spider Nelson is very different from them and is not found in gardens or domestic areas, unlike other large spiders.
The Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) is a spectacular spider with a large body, however, they are also a few of the rarest spiders. The exact population of this species is not known, but the Spelungula cavernicola Nelson cave spider was the first species of spider that was secured under legal protection under the New Zealand wildlife act.
You cannot find a cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) in a common setting such as gardens or houses. These spiders are found in the caves of the northwestern part of New Zealand and also on New Zealand's South Island.
It's hard to find a Spelungula cavernicola Nelson cave spider. This species is New Zealand's largest spider and can be seen in caves with large round egg sacs around them.
Much about this Spelungula cavernicola Nelson cave spider is not known because they are very rare. However, it can be assumed that these spiders live with fruit bats and worms in their caves.
The Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) was introduced in 1987 and since then not much is known about this species because their living habitat is restricted to only Nelson caves. Its believed that a cavernicola Nelson cave spider can live up to four to five years in its habitat.
Cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) spiders have a different reproductory method compared to other insects. The male ejaculates their sperms directly into the female body that is on the underside of her abdomen, known as the epigyne, as the courtship progresses. The female spider can also store sperm from different males and choose which one fits right to fertilize her egg.
Under New Zealand's Wildlife Act, these spiders are secured and provided safety. However, their conservative status is Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List. This means the data presented at the current date is inadequate to determine any threat category.
This Spelungula cavernicola Nelson cave spider is New Zealand's largest cave spider with a leg span of around 5.9 in (15 cm). They are light to dark brown in color, but they can also appear black in their natural habitat. The first two pairs of legs, each have a very long claw.
These spiders are very cute and for people who love to pet spiders, a Spelungula cavernicola Nelson cave spider can be an adorable friend.
Spiders only communicate with their own kind and can even identify their prey. For this resident of New Zealand, their web plays an important role when it comes to communication. The vibrations which are born from the trapping of prey reveal information about this spider, its prey size, and kind. For this cave spider Spelungula cavernicola, it's also easy to identify potential males through this method.
This spider from New Zealand is considerably big and almost is three times in size when compared with a yellow sac spider. It can be surprisingly hard to believe but this Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) is almost three to four times bigger than a six-eyed sand spider, both in terms of leg span and body size.
This spider from New Zealand relies heavily on its jump when it comes to catching prey. A Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) stays clung to the upper side of the cave and jumps right on its prey when it is the correct time. It can be said that these spiders are very good at jumping in their natural habitat.
As these spiders are very rare and were introduced to the New Zealand wildlife committee and researchers in 1985, not much information about these spiders is known. However, it assumed that they weigh around 0.0017-0.0028oz (0.02-0.08 g).
Both the males and females are addressed with the same scientific and local name.
These spiders from New Zealand produce a single egg sac that contains several hundred eggs. Once the egg hatches, baby spiders are called spiderlings.
The cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) is said to feed on cave wetas, flies, and several other small insects.
No, they are not poisonous.
Yes, some spiders can be good pets but it's very difficult to bring home a Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) as they are very rare.
The bite of these New Zealand spiders is said to be very painful but there are no other effects of it.
Its believed that cave spiders are generally smaller than regular spiders. Cave spiders are also not found in your usual surroundings such as gardens, trees, or houses like a normal spider.
The Nelson cave spider is the biggest spider in New Zealand.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other insects from our red admiral butterfly fun facts and milkweed tussock moth interesting facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable nelson cave spider coloring pages.
Main image by Brett Sandford
Second image by Judy Gallagher
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
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