Spiders are fascinating creatures that come in a variety of colors and sizes. However, one color that isn’t commonly associated with spiders is blue. While some may argue that blue spiders don’t exist at all, there have been sightings of these rare arachnids in various parts of the world.
Read more as we’ll explore the mystery of blue spiders and answer the question: how rare is a blue spider in nature?
The Science Behind Spider Colors
Before we delve into the rarity of blue spiders, it’s important to understand why spiders come in different colors in the first place. Like many other animals, spiders use color as a way to communicate with each other and their environment.
Some spiders use bright colors to warn predators that they are venomous or dangerous. Other spiders use camouflage to blend into their surroundings and avoid detection by predators or prey. Additionally, some spider species use color for mating purposes – males may display bright colors to attract females.
The pigments responsible for spider colors are called melanin and guanine. Melanin produces brownish or black hues while guanine creates iridescent blues and greens.
Are Blue Spiders Real
Yes, blue spiders do exist! However, they are incredibly rare and not commonly found in nature. In fact, there are only a few known species of blue spiders worldwide.
One species of blue spider is the Australian peacock spider (Maratus volans). This small spider measures only a few millimeters long but boasts vibrant blue and red coloring on its abdomen. Male peacock spiders use their colorful abdomens during elaborate courtship dances to attract mates.
Another species of blue spider is the metallic tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) found in India. This stunning arachnid has a brilliant metallic-blue sheen on its legs and body.
Other examples of blue-colored spiders include certain jumping spiders (Salticidae family) found in South America and Southeast Asia.
Moreover, here are some species of spiders with blue pigmentation on their bodies:
Cobalt Blue Tarantula – It is scientifically known as Cyriopagopus lividus and is an incredibly rare and endangered species of spider native to Southeast Asia. This beautiful creature is characterized by its vibrant cobalt blue abdomen, which can appear either metallic or velvety depending on the angle of the light. It is one of the most sought-after tarantula species in the world due to its rare coloration. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find a spider of this species in nature due to deforestation and over-collection for the pet trade.
Singapore Blue – The Singapore Blue (Argyrodes singaporensis) is an araneomorph spider that is native to the island nation of Singapore. It is part of the cobweb or tangled web family of spiders, and is known for its beautiful blue coloration. The species has a unique combination of physical characteristics, such as long spinnerets, and its bright blue coloration. While the Singapore Blue can be found in many parts of Singapore, it is considered to be a rare species, with some estimates suggesting that there are only 200 or so specimens in existence. The spider has become a symbol of national pride in Singapore due to its rarity, and has even been featured on souvenir coins.
And while it is rare, it can be found in other parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Malaysia. Though its population numbers are limited, conservation efforts have helped to keep this species from becoming extinct. It is likely that with proper conservation the Singapore Blue will continue to survive in nature for many years to come.
The Bold Jumper Spider, or Phidippus audax, is a species of jumping spider found throughout North America. It is identifiable by its large eyes, hairy body and colorful patterns on its abdomen. This spider has a unique behavior in which it will “jump” up to 30 times its body length when it detects movement. In addition to its impressive jumping ability, the Bold Jumper Spider is also notable for its rarity. While it is fairly common in some areas, there are many regions where you may never spot one due to their low population density. In fact, some estimates suggest that only 1 out of every 10,000 spiders encountered in nature are Bold Jumpers!
Birupes Simoroxigorum – The Birupes Simoroxigorum is an incredibly rare species of spider found natively in only two areas of Japan. It is an arachnid with a unique appearance; its body and legs are covered in deep cobalt blue hair which gives it its common name. This species is not as well known or studied as other spiders, but it is nonetheless an important part of its ecosystem.
Chrysilla Volupe – This is an eye-catching species of spider found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It has a bright blue body that appears almost electric in sunlight, with long legs banded in alternating black and white stripes. This species is considered as one of the rarest spiders on Earth because it is only found in a handful of locations, typically in wet and humid areas. Its coloration is caused by a unique combination of pigments, making it very difficult for predators to distinguish from its environment.
Why Are Blue Spiders So Rare
Blue-colored animals are uncommon because producing this hue requires specialized pigments that aren’t easy to create or maintain. Guanine crystals produce iridescence by reflecting light waves at specific angles – creating an illusion of shifting colors as you move around them.
Unfortunately for most animals, producing these guanine crystals requires specialized cells called iridocytes which aren’t present in all animal groups including mammals like us humans.
Therefore, only certain groups such as birds, butterflies, beetles among others can produce these crystals leading to iridescence on their wings or shells.
Spiders also possess these specialized cells but not all species utilize them for creating iridescence hence making them less common than other iridescent animals like butterflies or beetles etc.
In addition to limited pigment production capabilities, being brightly colored can also make an animal more visible to predators – making them more vulnerable to attack. Therefore natural selection often favors camouflage patterns over bright hues especially when there isn’t any need for attracting mates through colors.
Conclusion
Blue-colored animals always seem like something out-of-the-ordinary due to their rarity but they exist nonetheless! Blue-bodied spider sightings are extremely rare due to how difficult it is for them to produce vibrant shades using specialized pigments like guanine crystals however some species still manage it.
While spotting a blue spider may be exciting for those lucky enough to see one – it’s important not to disturb or harm these fragile creatures as they play an important role in maintaining balance within ecosystems just like any other animal does.