Despite its name, the Yellow House Spider is not a breed of spider that can only be found in yellow houses. Instead, the arachnid can be found living in various habitats such as gardens, forests, and even inside homes. The Yellow House Spider is a fascinating creature that has been misunderstood for quite some time due to its misleading name.
The Yellow House Spider, scientifically known as Cheiracanthium inclusum, is a type of spider native to North America. As its name suggests, it has a yellowish-greenish color, which can sometimes appear brown. The spider typically grows up to 10 millimeters in length, making them relatively small compared to other spider species. One of its most prominent features is its big, bright eyes that make for a striking appearance.
Despite being labeled as a house spider, Yellow House Spiders are not necessarily indoor creatures. In fact, the spider species prefers to live outdoors and can be found in gardens, fields, and even near wooded areas. Their preferred habitat typically consists of foliage and vegetation, as they are hunters who prey on other insects such as flies or crickets.
Yellow House Spiders are typically active during the night where they can be seen building their webs, and also hunting for their prey. They use their silk to make funnel-shaped webs, which they then use as a trap to capture their prey. The spider hunts by placing itself at the bottom of the funnel-shaped web and waits for its prey to come within range. Once the prey touches one of the silk lines, the spider quickly moves to capture it.
Despite their relatively small size, Yellow House Spiders are venomous. However, they are not considered dangerous to humans, and their bites are usually harmless, causing only mild irritation or swelling. They rarely bite unless provoked or threatened, and their venom is not potent enough to cause severe reactions in humans.
In conclusion, the Yellow House Spider may have a misleading name, but it is a fascinating creature that is not limited to indoor habitats. While they may appear intimidating at first glance, Yellow House Spiders are not dangerous to humans and play an important role in their environment by helping to control insect populations. So the next time you spot one in your garden or even in your home, appreciate it for the unique and interesting creature that it is.