New Species Of Venomous Spider Identified At Florida Zoo

Miami FL

28 April, 2021

4:13 PM

Description

MIAMI, FL — Arachnophobes, beware — a new species of venomous spider recently was identified in South Florida with the help of researchers at a Miami-based zoo. Zoo Miami Conservation & Research shared a photo of the spider to its Facebook page, introducing it as the Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spider. Though the spider was first discovered in 2012 while a staff member was checking reptile traps in the endangered pine rocklands surrounding Zoo Miami, Tampa Bay-based FOX 13 reported. Another spider discovered years later was sent to Dr. Rebecca Godwin of Piedmont College for evaluation. She confirmed the spider as a new species of trapdoor spider, the zoo said in its Facebook post. "Trapdoor spiders are some of the longest-lived spiders and are documented to be able to live for decades," the zoo said. "Given the rarity of the habitat that this species was found in and that it has not been known to science until now, it is assumed that it is likely already imperiled." Trapdoor spiders are typically medium in size and similar to a tarantula in appearance. The spider got its name because it constructs a "trap door" near the entrance of its burrow, allowing it to feed quickly by opening the trap door and grabbing an insect as it passes by. For humans bitten by a trapdoor spider, its venom has been compared to a bee sting. Over the years, zoo staff encountered a few more male pine rocklands. They have yet to spot a female. The pine rockland's photo may induce a shudder or two. However, before you decide to torch your home out of an abundance of caution, experts would urge you to think twice. The fact the spider was found in the middle of a city "underscores the importance of preserving these ecosystems before we lose not only what we know, but also what is still to be discovered.," Dr. Frank Ridgley of Zoo Miami told FOX 13. Ridgley went on, saying that venoms of related trapdoor spider species have been found to contain compounds with potential use as pain medications and cancer treatments.