Are There Spiders in Egypt? - Wild Travel Blog

Egypt is an African country that dates back to the time of the pharaohs. The country is home to many wild animals, including spiders.

Yes, there are spiders in Egypt. We know of thirteen different spider species found throughout Egypt.

In this article, we will look at some of the most common spiders in Egypt.

Table of Contents

Spiders in Egypt

1. The Brown Widow

Scientific name: Latrodectus geometricus

The Brown Widow Spider is one of the widow spider species that are venomous. The venom from this spider causes very unpleasant symptoms, but they’re not very dangerous.

They are found around buildings and gardens in tropical areas. You can identify them by their color, which can range from tan to dark brown to black.

2. Tropical Tent-web Spider

Scientific name: Cyrtophora citricola

The Tropical Tent-web Spider is a nocturnal creature that makes an unusual web that they use to capture prey.

This species of spider is unable to survive in temperatures below -1 °C (30.2 °F). Since they are nocturnal, you will hardly see them while you are in Egypt.

3. Camel Spiders

Scientific name: Solifugae

Camel spiders have different names, such as wind scorpions, sun spiders, or solifuges.

These creatures are not considered true scorpions or true spiders. They thrive in dry climates, like deserts. This makes Egypt an ideal place to find them.

These arachnids are feared by many people due to their appearance, which can be intimidating. They are also known to be incredibly fast, reaching an average speed of 10 mph (16 km/h).

Although Camel Spiders look scary, they are not venomous since they don’t have stingers. But their chelicerae (mouthparts) can penetrate human skin, and their bites are reported to be very painful.

4. The Banded Garden Spider

Scientific name: Argiope trifasciata

These spiders are also known as the banded orb-weaving spider. They are known to build a large web that can reach 60 cm (23.6 in) in diameter.

They are one of the most common spiders to find in Egypt. Banded Garden Spiders start to appear around autumn, from early September to late October, following the temperatures as they start to drop.

You can go about your day in Egypt without having to worry about these spiders since they rarely bite humans. But they will surely bite in defense when disturbed.

5. Adanson’s House Jumper

Scientific name: Hasarius adansoni

Adanson’s house jumper got its name from its ability to jump to incredible heights. This spider is found in woodlands and low vegetation.

They use this ability to hunt by holding onto their prey when they jump and injecting venom by bite.

6. The Half-edged Wall Jumping Spider

Other name: Menemerus bivittatus

The Half-edged Wall Jumping Spider is a species that is usually found on walls or tree trunks where they hunt for prey.

This spider is native to Africa, and I can tell you for a fact that they are very common across the continent. Egypt is one of the countries to find these creatures.

This spider is harmless, but it might look intimidating to some people.

7. The Middle East Black Tarantula

Scientific name: Chaetopelma olivaceum

This spider is also known as the Black Furry tarantula. They are one of the largest species of tarantula in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries.

These spiders are found in homes, but do not be alarmed because they are not very dangerous to humans. Their venom is very mild, but it will cause pain and discomfort.

They are good pest controllers since they hunt for cockroaches in the home.

Other Spiders Found in Egypt

Lobed Argiope
Harvestmen
Cellar Spiders
Pantropical Jumping Spider
Wolf Spiders
Crab Spiders

Conclusion

So you have it; this article answers your questions about spiders in Egypt. They are found in almost every part of the world, including dessert regions.

FAQs About Spiders in Egypt

Can spiders in Egypt be dangerous?

Spiders in Egypt are not dangerous to humans, but they do bite when disturbed. A bite from the Brown Widow spider is not harmful, but it is painful.

Are Camel Spiders Found in Egypt?

Yes, Camel Spiders, also known as Solifugae, are found in Egypt. These are species that are a mix of both spiders and scorpions.

Where can I see spiders in Egypt?

Spiders can be found in every part of Egypt, from gardens to deserts and homes.

Should I be afraid of spiders in Egypt?

Spiders are not very harmful, so there is no need to be afraid. They might look dangerous, but most of them are not.

Louis Ojibe

Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.