Spitting Spider (Scytode) Captures a Spider

While recording a Scytode that lived in my apartment, another spider appeared suddenly as it darted right into and by the Scytode. The Scytode captured the spider so fast, even though she was not even facing the spider that practically ran her over. She captured the spider by spitting web at it. Later in the video she gives the spider a number of fatal bites to kill it off before eating it.

[@Torn80cj]

It spat the web at the other spider when it charged by, but these spiders do it so ridiculously fast that it's almost impossible to catch it with our own eyes. That was the reason the other spider couldn't get away from the spitting spider when it spat the web and glued the other spider's legs to the floor.

[@remo687]

I love this. The music is so ethereal and the spider itself looks so alien. It looks like a large otherworldly creature strolling slowly across a grassy dry alien landscape.

[@msfritz9158]

Ikr! Made me imagine a world with gravity so low all creatures either fly, float or have big heavy bodies supported by ridiculously spindly and delicate legs

[@elontusk8018]

Looks like a spider on someone’s carpet to me. 🧐

[@charlieross4674]

Beautiful description

[@BimmieJames]

This was like the level of an award winning short film. It truly was masterfully shot and scored. Was it all one take, I can’t recall, omg this is 10/10 as a documentary and a drama/epic.

[@kathrynshockey5537]

spitting spider eating a grass spider

[@shadowkitty1988]

Beautiful! This was such an amazing video--the Spitting Spider is absolutely gorgeous, and the music is ... indescribably stunning. The combination of it all --- the perfect macro footage and music --- made me feel as if I were watching something sacred (like the spider was a powerful, yet gentle spiritual being). Weird, huh? Anyway ... awesome video, dude!!

[@mcseacow33]

Brilliant. I just learned about scytodes thoracica after observing it lurk around some pholcus phalangioides in my bathroom, and came here looking for an illustration of its hunting behaviour -- I didn't except a work of art! Arresting imagery, haunting musical accompaniment. Thank you!

[@gripm8]

Man that was so intense, you can see the fear in that other spider as it struggles so hard to escape the Skytode while she was biting it. Best spitting spider video I have ever seen, it was so amazing, and I'm glad you got home before this happen. At least you don't film cage matches like some people do, you got the real deal. I guess this was your reward for allowing certain spiders to roam in your apartment.

[@Theokondak]

I dare to say, that you realy got the feeling there.This spider is so alien to us, humans, it feels me joy and relaxation.The way it walks, makes it look so simple and delicate at the same time.Even the way she entraps the other spider, what a gently execution.

[@Torn80cj]

The spitting spiders are also in the phillipines, they even look like the ones in North America, but they have different pattern markings on their body. I have been meaning to change the description, I had seen someone else call the prey spider tegenaria also, so I figured they were right. I'll look up those 2 species you named, see if I can the right one for the prey spider. Thanks for the information by the way.

[@AssassinatedWaffles]

(Scytode) The Quick Scope Spider

[@LuckySawdust]

Man, when I lived in Ft. Worth, I found a couple of these in my shower -- had no idea what they were, ... and sadly didn't let them live. Later, our house had tons of recluse spiders... if I had known then what I know now, I would have re-located them to the spider-dens!

[@hamigakisan7094]

That's amazing footage, but now I feel like things are crawling on me haha

[@robertschultz4588]

The daddy long legs gives the other spider a gentle massage followed by the kiss of death.

[@humpadumpathump5918]

Woah. Feels like a fever dream at certain points

[@gavinpow77]

Stunning video footage. The spitting spider is a species I wasn't aware of. I'm guessing it's a North American species. Looks similar, in some ways, to the pholicidae species range. Brilliant the way it is so spindly and dainty, yet has no issue challenging larger species. Although, in saying that, there is no way its prey is of the Tegenaria species. I would say agelenidae or amaurobius similis. Still, beautiful video, all the same. Spiders are wonderful creatures.

[@RaymondR]

Your video quality is very impressive; nice work!

[@filmicfront]

Incredible footage! Thank you.

[@luvtofu89]

The cinematography of this video was terrific.

[@UberDAHnooB]

Spider was doin that George Jefferson shit until it straight killed the poor little fella.

[@kyleoconnor8738]

Incredible! Thanks for capturing this!

[@stevenedmund5680]

your camera angle and shot is amazing

[@swerdna77]

I k m ow this is an old video but I wanted to comment anyway. This is beautiful. I had to rewind it when the other spider tried to get her. It happenend so fast I didn't realize what was going on at first. I'm assuming the other spider tried to eat her but she was able to spit her web before he got her. Its unbelievable how fast the attack happenend. I absolutely love watching spiders although I'm scared of some of them but I'm slowly getting over my fear.

[@Torn80cj]

Panasonic HDC HS700, but I also used a Raynox DCR 250 Macro Conversion lens to get the macro shots.

[@RaylaOpal]

That camera quality is amazing! Incredible video!

[@TasteBudJunkie]

This video is brilliant. I'm reading a book from the 50s called Life Of The Spider and i needed to see how this clever species does it thing. Wonderful

[@ChimpFromSpace]

Spits at 2:40.

[@RStaRaptoR]

2:28

[@RStaRaptoR]

I don't know why it ran so close to the other.

[@Torn80cj]

@456puff It's called "Deep Sea Orchestra" by Aalborg Fantasy Soundtracks. If you want to know where the song titles are in the future, look under the view count, it will usually be right there unless someone put their own music on the video.

[@JB-xx3dq]

Just when I was getting bored, spiders ftw!

[@taleandclawrock2606]

Wow...it looks so gentle and delicate...amazing that it could take a wolf spider so much sturdier. It almost looked merciful, the way it carefully injected 3 venemous bites when tbe wolf spider began to struggle featfully. Really amazing vid.

[@kathrynshockey5537]

its not a wolf spider its a grass spider

[@AceofDlamonds]

It's those grass spiders that make funnel webs

[@TheSanityInspector]

Remarkable. And great choice of music, something I rarely say in regards to amateur nature vids!

[@killstrees]

I wasn't expecting the other spider to show up when it did and so quickly. Thanks for the heart attack! :) Lol

[@Spiderific]

You were lucky to catch that on video! The Scytodes, although they seem fragile, are amazing predators. It's just incredible how fast that venomous silk is spit! I know for a fact that Yellow Sac spiderlings eat their mothers, but I've never heard of the Scytodes spiderlings doing that. It's definitely possible though. Anyways, it was one epic spider vid..I guess that's what you get when you bang into a Spitting Spider and almost knock her over..certain death! lol ;)

[@xTheCANNIBAL666x]

Absolutely stunning video...I can't stop watching it tbh

[@declanwk1]

very impressive filming, worthy of a nature documentary. What did you film it on?

[@danielgrafflin9689]

I can't see enough of the Tegenaria to determine its species, but its legs match the male T.domestica I have. Haven't seen Scytodes in a long time, but a great video.

[@Mayheme1]

Outstanding!! Right time, right place comes to mind.

[@thomaspeters5889]

Nice camera work

[@Drip-p]

i sleep in a basement, i did not have to go to sleep anyway....

[@mybroisawizz]

Awesome video as always. ^- ^ The Skytode is so awesome!

[@Torn80cj]

@Pinkalicious112 Thank you. It is amazing how spiders look so different when seen at these magnifications.

[@MiddleofNowhereGirl]

Wow you got a cool little spider-bro in your apartment. I just get those dumb wolf spiders that grow up super huge.

[@sprsae9003]

AprilShowers if wolf spiders enjoy the enviroment in your apartment its time to do something.. wolf spiders usually dosnt like living in houses

[@neoxpro12]

Fun fact:This creature last name is kumonga

[@iiiKnives]

What kind of camera was used? The quality is fantastic!

[@Torn80cj]

It should be able to penetrate human skin, but they are not really known for biting or having highly potent venom.

[@icim7621]

yes it can penetrate, if you have dry crackly skin and can be necrotic, depends on how tolerant your body is and amount of venom was released.

[@TheDeuceWins]

I am scared of spiders but couldn't help but watch this video...it's actually quite amazing.

[@MortyScheinhorn]

"Oh no another spider, oh but I'm a lot bigger. Lets see I could A. Twirl around real fast and bite him before he bites me, B. run away at top speed, or C. stay completely still, let him tie me up, get bitten immediately afterward, and die. hmm.. should've gone with A."

[@WrightJustice1991]

Well I mean it did get stuck in web that the spitting spider shot at it.

[@The_Ballo]

Um, you do realize that the silk she spits at her prey is poisonous, right? A was never an option

[@antssaar863]

It takes theme bout 1/600 - 1/700 second to spit enough silk to imopilise prey item... Should Answere why A,B and C most time dont work. In other hand, some jumping spiders are expert at catching Scytode. Seems they know what Scytode is capable of and show quite advanced straegys to capture theme. Scytode are also good way to controll brown recluse numers as they are very good at caching these.

[@bruzote]

+Morty Scheinhorn I'm glad you made your comment. Not everybody knows how the poisoned silk works. Certainly not me - I only wound up here out of curiosity started with a flower video (orchid video, pollinating moth video, comment on the moth video page about phobias followed by arachnophobia comment followed by comment about non-venomous spiders, I was in disbelief about non-venomous spiders, looked up non-venomous spiders, looked up the definition of their cribellate nature, and then found out about spitting spiders to end up here). I see from Ants Saar's comment that silk somehow immobilizes prey on contact. I find that mind-blowing. As you may have done, I thought it was safe to assume that spitting could not paralyze a spider. So, your comment lead to my education (fortunately Ants responded).

[@MysticBoy91]

Wow man, just saw one of these little beauties in my bathroom, played around with it and then let it go on his hunt again! Didn't think you could find these in Europe. I though they are more found in every other continent just not Europe :D I was a bit afraid i might get it pissed off so it'll spit in my eyes and bite me, cause i was taking some pretty close up looks :D

[@Theokondak]

I would love to know the equipment you used to capture this.Camera, Lens and tripod.The lighting seems quite natural, i guess you didn't used any special lighting for this.

[@Torn80cj]

I used a panasonic HDC Hs700 camcorder with a Raynox DCR 250 macro conversion lens attached. No tripod was used because I had to slide my hand on the floor to follow the spitting spider. The second spider was a surprise for me, mainly because I was so focused on the spitting spider that I never saw the other spider coming.

[@IloveSPIDERZ]

Torn80cj AND you never even staged it! That is damn impressive! I'm going to start filming for a feeding compilation of these spiders tomorrow night.

[@iiiKnives]

Thank you so much! Now I know what I want for my birthday!

[@Torn80cj]

I have another one that showed up in my house and she ended up having 14 baby spiders, but for some reason one was dead. This morning she had a brown recluse in her mouth. It may have been the culprit that got the baby spider the day before.

[@IzZyRaWr]

Wow, looks like there's a lot of spinning going on, similar to what we normally see from the spinnerets and hind legs, only this one seems to be using it's pedipalps and chelicerae a lot more! I'm not an expert and I'm only speculating though. Very nice video!

[@mikehunt7019]

Who else just got here from reddit after seeing this low upvoted spider in r/spiders

[@Jagrofes]

That was... Fast...

[@sipyoanjo7003]

dude, love your channel...

[@CricketForestwater]

Absolutely fascinating. I always enjoy your videos.

[@agelenavideo]

Very good video! The other spider belongs tu genus Tegenaria; a fairly strong and aggressive spider, not so easy to kill. As you see, the venom of Scytodes is very powerful and has effect immediately.

[@RaggTopp]

lol had trouble looking up "skytodes". Apparently google couldn't figure out that I wanted "scytodes."

[@LizardKing1086]

I'm almost certain that was a solifugae that this spider caught, and not another spider.

[@notpulverman9660]

Reece Carroll I'm sure if the uploaded can ID a spitting spider, he can correctly ID a non-soli.

[@LENITYZONE]

Not Pulverman oh no, they meant the spider that the spitter caught. but it looks like a small wolf spider...

[@necrohmortis]

Nope. It's Agelenopsis naevia. Pause at 5:11 and compare the markings on both the abdomen and cephalothroax,

[@IloveSPIDERZ]

My videos will never be as good as yours! But I'm happy that I now have a new subscription! :) I just found a whole ton of these. I have never seen them before, but I had a feeling they were spitting spiders. So I took a large cricket and held it about an inch in front of one, and just saw in my opinion, one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my life! Thank you for the video!

[@Torn80cj]

Just keep at it, experience will make you better. I had a lot of videos I couldn't upload back in 2011 because my hand used to be so ridiculously shaky.

[@IloveSPIDERZ]

Haha Same! And I am, i appreciate the help and motivational support! I started editing all of my movies I post to make the videos a little better and more interesting. Ever since I have been doing that, I've noticed both my views and total minutes watched are climbing. I separate my videos into groups also, to track how profitable each topic is.

[@danielgrafflin9689]

If I was going to bet on the prey spiders species, it would be a male T.domestica.

[@giorgiabsandze]

This is my favourite spider if you want to collect them you can see more same spider in Georgia

[@BluRaise]

very curious why the spider darted underneath like that.

[@Lifepath8]

That was some incredible footage 👍🏻

[@Pinkalicious112]

Oh my gosh! It's so beautiful.

[@Drosera420]

Incredible video.

[@andresaluki]

Here there are some spiders identical in body shape, with the same behaviour, but they are all black. I'm wondering if they are of the same species or are some sort of subspecies or just a color variation...

[@sixpackbinky]

I saw a video the other day where a spitting spider killed a Brown recluse.

[@lewisyouknow]

Quality

[@SniffMyDeadwax]

so looks like a set up on a petri dish

[@rickmcnelly]

This is an amazing video!

[@nequam_sonitus]

You'd bet wrong. Tegenaria species don't have the two rows of dots on the abdomen that you can see at 5:15. It's a lot closer to the markings on some Agelenopsis (grass spiders): bugguide.net/node/view/577826/bgimage

[@soma78]

nice vid, but may i suggest you use a smaller aperture, next time ? for a larger DOF

[@danielgrafflin9689]

That is some nice macro video ans awesome spider. Nice pet you have there. The grass spider looked a bit like Hololena genus.

[@benjamindanner5594]

U can buy these online for only$9.99

[@gantify1301]

Benjamin Danner they are tiny though I keep a couple

[@joot78]

Don’t blink at 2:29! 😂

[@featheredfan]

She must have been spitting on the other spider much of the time, but we just can't see it. Can you please tell us the general location where this was filmed? Thanks!

[@genudine3740]

No, the spitting is actually only a few milliseconds. It happens during the moment the second spider crosses the screen for the first time. And it was apparently filmed in his apartment.

[@Torn80cj]

Oklahoma and in my apartment is where I recorded the spitting spider.

[@mountainvalleystudio]

Great Video! It's only a pity that you didn't use slow motion during spitting.

[@arth13008]

Nice ! what is the reference camera ?

[@arth13008]

" I used a panasonic HDC Hs700 camcorder with a Raynox DCR 250 macro conversion lens attached" thanks :p

[@DenizenofSBWR]

nice video. there are spitting spiders in singapore too. i read that portia spiders can hunt spitting spiders by striking them from the rear.

[@kathrynshockey5537]

spitting spiders kill portia spiders

[@kathrynshockey5537]

portia spiders don’t eat spitting spiders because spitting spiders eat portia spiders

[@AceofDlamonds]

Lightning quick!!

[@LENITYZONE]

omg spitter caught wolfie! ;-; or at least, I think that's a wolf spider...

[@LikeWaterBaby]

I like the music. Very relaxing.

[@Mysticsloth]

very nice and well made video dude ; )

[@Badjedidude2859]

Amazing footage! I love it.

[@chaziztheman]

I see a smiling snowman on the back. :3

[@danny24042002]

spitting spider vs pcman frog next 😆

[@nourghafarji]

Just found a large one in my house

[@faunista2702]

The running spider was not the eaten one

[@Giggidygiggidy12]

Question can the spitting spider penetrate human skin and does its venom have any effect on us. Is it s spider we should be wary of or is it like a daddy long legs which only eats or bites insects?

[@andrewscott5302]

The could penetrate human skin, but the spiders themselves are tiny and their venom has no effect on humans, as is with most spiders. Of the tens of thousands of species of spiders, less than 20 have venom that's medically significant to humans, and of those theres only a hand full that are potentially lethal to humans if they bite in the right place. The only two species in the US that are dangerous to humans are black widows (aka but still the same as brown/ northern widows) and brown recluses. Their not any more likely to bite you than any other species, but I wouldn't recommend it because bugs cant be 100% predictable. There are some species though, like any tarantula or trapdoor spider, that you would want to go to the doctor for, but just for the size of the fangs. Getting bit by a tarantula would be like getting caught with two small fishing hooks, but without the barbs; a very sharp and shocking pain, but you'll heal in a few days and have a story to tell, just get the puncture holes clean and bandaged. But thats still the worst, and size doesn't affect how bad the bite is. Huntsman spiders can get as big as a dinner plate, but their fangs are short and the their chelicerae (mouth parts) aren't very strong, so their bite feels like getting bitten by a cat. Most spider bites are no worse than a bee sting. Also spiders are very smart for bugs and know they cant do any real damage to people, so they usually don't waste their venom on defensive bites. That being said, most spiders are perfectly safe to handle. The most important part is to stay calm when handling them. They're very sensitive to temperature and vibrations, so they can tell when you're nervous or panicking. Remember that they're hundreds or thousands of times smaller than you, they're way more scared of you than you are of them. You can safely pick up almost any spider youll run across by putting your hand down in front of them, and keep putting them in front of where the spiders running to until they stop and decide to touch your hand. If you stay still and patient and let them explore at their own pace, theyll calm down and check out your whole arm just to see what it is, no matter the species. If they start to act defensively, like holding up their legs or looking like they're going to jump (yes, more then just jumping spiders can jump), then just move away from them calmly and dont try again too persistently. If you don't poke, blow on or otherwise provoke a spider, theyre really chill and will generally just hang out on your hand. The only ones I'd recommend not trying to handle (but definitely get in and look at) are recluses, widows, trapdoor, funnel web, fishing or mouse spiders, or anyone that's in or building any kind of web. So jumping, wolf, wandering, grass, nursery web, velvet, net-casting, orb weaving, spitting, cellar, house, crab, huntsman, lynx, and almost all other families of spider are perfectly fine to handle or have around your house. Long story short, yes, you can handle spitting spiders, and yes they can bite you but don't really do any damage. They're tiny and your skins thin, a lot worse could bite you..

[@456puff]

Can someone tell me the song used?

[@kushcloud420]

It spits toxic webs soo cool

[@roamin_candle743]

[2:27]

[@GameGlitcher94]

@Torn80cj Ill be sure to watch. Well its something i myself will have to do as a zoologist one day. Its hard work but pays off knowing species and everything about specific ones..

[@TheEvilDruid1]

The victim is a Hobo, no? Abdomen has the spots instead of the stripes I see on grass spiders....but I am no Ent.

[@TheSplendidWren]

+TheEvilDruid1 I think hobos have solid colored legs

[@TheEvilDruid1]

You are correct, several viable sources concur. :D

[@captainshays6191]

+TheEvilDruid1 It does look like some sort of Agelenidae.

[@notpulverman9660]

The hobos I my cities are shave dark stained legs, and smell really bad.

[@RavenPoe-bz7qx]

Amazing video!!! wow!!

[@wildlifeisthewealthofnatur5457]

Did that other spider tried to hunt the spitting spider?

[@AceofDlamonds]

Nah just run past

[@Fenhawk11]

"Spitting"

[@randar357]

Awesome!

[@AstraeaInvadeAlpha]

I am in the rural area of Comanche County, Oklahoma and I just got bit by one of these sacks of shit while trying to sleep. I know because I smashed it and kept the body for evidence. I absolutely thought it was a fiddleback and immediately put a local home remedy to use against the venom (a mixture of baking soda, tea & water). But upon looking better at what I got and comparing, it was one of these. Supposedly they're not supposed to be able to bite people but I guarantee you that is not the case. It felt somewhere between a small, black ant and big, red ant but closer to the red, pain-wise, but the sting pain didn't last very long (not as long as an ant, wasp or scorpion). But just so ya'll know, these little sacks of shit can and do bite folks.

[@Scrunchy05]

How do you know if it was one if it was smashed?

[@Scrunchy05]

How do you know if it was one if it was smashed?

[@emergencyCALL911]

+Astraea Invade It nipped you; you killed it. I think that makes you the bigger sack of shit. I killed one by mistake, and I feel quite sad about it. It was crawling on my neck and I just assumed what I felt was an itch so I scratched it and felt something squashy between my fingers, so I looked and saw some wriggling legs. When I realised I had a spider in my hand I instinctively flung it away. Then I registered that it hadn't bitten be. I had crushed it between my fingers but it hadn't even gotten a chance to defend itself. I felt rather sorry for the poor thing. Tiny little spider against gigantic (from his perspective) mammalian creature. And he didn't even get to strike back before I unwittingly killed him. Alas he did indeed die. I didn't think there was much chance for him, really, given how long I squashed him between my fingers before looking to see what the unknown squishy thing was ... and after a few minutes of contemplating the unfairness of his situation and of my unearned advantage, I spotted his poor dead body not far off ... All I have to assuage my guilt is the thought of what a thoroughly stupid move it was on his part to go crawling across a gigantic mammalian creature. He really should have know better. Also, after watching what his kinsman in this video did to a fellow spider, I'm feeling slightly less remorseful.

[@Scrunchy05]

Its okay just wanted to know.

[@emergencyCALL911]

+Jack Z The one I squashed between my fingers was surprisingly intact (albeit dead), so I'm guessing the one squashed by dear old Astraea SackO'Shit was similarly unmutilated.

[@okamijubei]

are they really tiny?

[@RStaRaptoR]

2:28