Invasive species
Nosferatu spider now widespread nationwide
The Nosferatu spider is now widespread throughout Germany. (Archive image) Photo
© Robert Pfeifle/ NABU /dpa
It was first registered in this country in 2005 – the Nosferatu spider is now widespread throughout Germany. The species, which originates from the Mediterranean region, is unusual in several respects.
The spider likes it warm – and is probably therefore mostly found in buildings in this country: According to the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), the Nosferatu spider (Zoropsis spinimana) is now native to almost all of Germany. With a body length of just under two centimeters and leg spans of up to six centimeters, it is one of the largest Spiders here.
And it is one of the few spiders in Germany that can bite through human skin, writes the Nabu. Its venom is not dangerous to humans, however, and the bite is only about as painful as a light wasp sting. The spider only bites rarely, and only when there is a direct threat.
The species, which is native to the Mediterranean region, was first described in Germany in 2005 – in Baden-Württemberg. It is by no means rare anymore: more than 25,000 new finds were reported on the reporting portal Nabu-naturgucker.de within a few weeks in autumn 2022. To date, according to Nabu, there have been around 35,000 reports from more than 20,000 people
The animal, which belongs to the family of spiders, is increasingly being discovered outdoors – for example in parks or gardens. The reason for the spread of the Nosferatu spider in Baden-Württemberg is the higher temperatures in recent summers, says Hubert Höfer from the Karlsruhe Natural History Museum. There are particularly many of the spiders in the state in the Rhine Valley.
Spider can stick to glass panes
According to Nabu, one special feature of the Nosferatu spider is that it can hold on to vertical panes of glass. This is made possible by special adhesive hairs. And although it belongs to the order of spiders, it does not build webs. Instead, it pursues its prey.
The name comes from the fact that you can supposedly see the face of the vampire Nosferatu from the 1922 silent film on her body.
If you see a Nosferatu spider in your own four walls, Höfer recommends keeping calm: “We have spiders in all houses and apartments.” If they bother you, you can simply put them outside.