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Have You Seen Spider With Claws: What Is This Creature?

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If you’re ever wondering what that creepy, crawly thing is in your house or garden, wonder no more. This article will help identify the behavior and physical characteristics of the Spider with Claws!

You read that right.

Scroll down to read the information provided below and discover all you need to know about Spider with Claws!

What type of animal is a Spider with Claws?

Owing to the tremendous diversity on Earth, encountering various animals is inevitable. However, did you know there exists a completely different group of organisms recognized as the Spider with Claws?

Spider with Claws

Well, these organisms are basically Pseudoscorpions, or false scorpions. In fact, at first glance, a Pseudoscorpion is often mistaken for a spider with claws, but it is not.

These arachnids belong to the order Pseudoscorpiones (also known as Pseudoscorpionida or Chelonethida), while spiders such as tarantulas, sac spiders, brown recluse spiders, or hunting spiders belong to the Order Araneae.

Pseudoscorpions are basically small, secretive animals. They are harmless to both people and pets and feed primarily on small insects and arthropods.

Also, names such as “false scorpions” or “book scorpions” are synonymous with these arthropods.

Pseudoscorpions can be found in many parts of the world, but they are most commonly encountered in bathrooms, where they enter through drains or plumbing fixtures.

Why the name false scorpion or Pseudoscorpion?

A pseudoscorpion photographed in nature

Pseudoscorpions are a type of arachnid that look very similar to scorpions. They get their name from their superficial resemblance to scorpions but lack the venomous stingers that true scorpions possess.

According to the research, they can be found all over the world, and there are more than 2,000 different species.

Pseudoscorpion species Basic Information

Pseudoscorpion. Biologist, Exotic vet examines a a false scorpion, wildlife veterinarian. closeup Pseudoscorpion Arthropods, invertebrates. bug, insects, insect, animals, animal, wild nature, wildlife

Physical Appearance

Pseudoscorpions are small arachnids that have a flat, pear-shaped body and pincer-like pedipalps.

Physically, they range in size from 2 to 8 millimeters long, with the largest known species being Garypus titanius of Ascension Island at up to 12 millimeters.

Most of them have a dark brown coloration with various shades of yellow and cream markings on the dorsal surface of their bodies.

Additionally, the abdomen of pseudoscorpions is made up of twelve segments, with each segment protected by sclerotized plates.

Their short and rounded abdomens, rather than extending into a segmented tail and stinger like true scorpions, set them apart; in fact, they rather look like ticks.

Pseudoscorpions possess poor vision aided by about two or four sets of eyes.

What’s more, some species are known to possess no eyes at all!

Habitat

Although pseudoscorpions can be found in a variety of environments, including those in temperate to freezing climates, their absolute favorites are the tropics and subtropics, where dense and diversified populations can be located.

Spiders with claws are particularly partial to areas with high moisture levels.

And though they are not commonly found in outdoor settings, pseudoscorpions can be located in forests, fields, and gardens.

When invading our homes’ luxury, these critters can be easily seen crawling through the cracks, spaces between the windows and doors, and in dark and moist areas, such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. 

Furthermore, pseudoscorpions can also infiltrate houses by riding on firewood or larger insects like flies and beetles.

Behavior

Pseudoscorpions are harmless to people and pets and can be found in many different environments.

What’s more, though they are also recognized as Spider with Claws, they have venom glands and ducts- which they use to immobilize their prey.

Pseudoscorpions are also very beneficial as they help to control pest populations.

Food Habits

Pseudoscorpions are a type of arachnid that feed on a variety of small insects and other arthropods.

In fact, despite having poor vision, they use sensory hairs on their pincers to search for prey. They latch onto their prey with their pincers and inject them with venom. The venom liquefies the insides of the prey so that the spider can suck it out.

Pseudoscorpions are unique in that they have claws on their front legs that can be used to grasp and hold onto their prey.

The common preferences of Pseudoscorpions include thrips, files, psocids (barklice and booklice), small beetle larvae, ants, springtails, and mites.

Why do pseudoscorpions Invade Properties?

Super macro of Pseudoscorpion on tree bark.

There are a number of reasons why Pseudoscorpion may invade your home.

Darkness

Spiders with claws are a type of arachnid that like to live in dark places. This is because these critters have very poor vision and rely on their other senses to find food and mates. 

Remember, though, Pseudoscorpions are generally considered harmless to humans, but they can be a nuisance if they invade your home.

Moisture

Pseudoscorpions thrive in moist environments and can often be found near leaky pipes or other areas where moisture is present. However, these organisms can also be located in other places such as homes, offices, garages, and other buildings. 

Pseudoscorpions like to hide in dark places and are attracted to moisture.

Shelter

Pseudoscorpions often infiltrate people’s homes in the colder winter months; this is because they make cocoons during this time to protect themselves from the cold, and they also mate and molt during this season.

Food

Like all pests, Pseudoscorpions are likely to invade properties where there is a source of food. These arachnids are attracted to moisture and can often be found in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas where water is present.

Moreover, the presence of insect meals such as thrips, flies, small beetle larvae, and ants will attract Spider with Claws to your home.

Are pseudoscorpions Dangerous?

Macro image of a tiny Pseudoscorpion - Neobisium carcinoides, stacked close up image

While generally considered harmless to humans and pets, Pseudoscorpions should not be handled as they can deliver a painful and itchy bite. The poison glands used for feeding are not harmful to our furry friends or us, but it would still be best not to handle them without gloves.

In fact, Pseudoscorpions are generally beneficial to humans because they prey on clothes moth larvae, carpet beetle larvae, booklice, ants, mites, and small flies.

In addition to their usefulness, pseudoscorpions are fascinating creatures that have inspired myths and legends for centuries.

Do Spider with Claw Bite?

Pseudoscorpions pose no threat to humans or animals. They can’t sting or bite.

Consequently, neither individuals nor animals are harmed by the poison gland used for feeding.

True spiders vs. the Spider with Claws

While both the True spiders as well as the Spider with Claws share the common Class: Arachnida, still there are completely different from each other. Let us understand how:

Spider with Claws

Spiders with Claws or Pseudoscorpions are small arachnids that resemble scorpions and are found all over the world.

They can be identified by their two large pincers or claws.

These critters have eight legs and five to seven segments on each leg. It also has two long pedipalps (front legs) that end in pincers. They are small, yellowish-tan to dark brown in color.

Pseudoscorpions are harmless to humans and typically feed on insects or other small invertebrates.

True Spiders

Spiders are a type of arachnid, and as such, they have segmented bodies with jointed limbs. They also have a cuticle made of chitin and proteins, which helps protect their skin.

Interestingly, spiders use their chelicerae to break down prey. The chelicerae are located in front of the spider’s mouth and are composed of two parts: the basal segment and the fang or dagger.

Furthermore, True spiders have two body sections, and their venomous fangs fold away behind the upper sections when they’re not in use. Pseudoscorpions, on the other hand, have three body sections and are used in feeding.

Spinnerets (a silk weaving organ) are found in true spiders; however, Pseudoscorpions do not possess this organ.

Some common spiders found invading households include the hunting spider, sac spider, house spider, cross spider, garden spider, crab spider, web-building spider, and nursery web spider.

How to prevent pseudoscorpions from invading?

While Pseudoscorpions are not harmful to humans, they can be a nuisance as they often invade homes in search of food.

Furthermore, removing pseudoscorpions can prove difficult when there is an abundance of litter, food sources, or easy entrance into the house. Pseudoscorpions can eventually be eliminated by doing the following:

Inspect your property for pseudoscorpions.

Inspect your property for pseudoscorpions. They like to live in areas with a lot of debris such as a woodpile, shoe closet, wall voids, porch rails, any cracks in the foundation, spaces between the cupboards, or rain gutters.

Remember, despite the fact that Pseudoscorpions have no stinger (thereby not harmful to humans); however, the presence of these organisms is often the indication of invasion of other pests such as flies, ants, etc. 

Eliminate the food

If you are dealing with a pseudoscorpion infestation, the first step is to eliminate the food source. Pseudoscorpions feed on other insects and arachnids, so getting rid of those pests will help get rid of the pseudoscorpions as well.

You can do this by regularly implementing pest control measures, using insecticides or traps, or removing clutter and debris where they might hide.

Seal any cracks and holes 

Seal any cracks and holes in your home by caulking the interior gaps with a silicon-based caulk. This will help to keep Pseudoscorpion and other pests from entering your home, and it will also help to insulate your home.

Maintain your lawn and eliminate hiding places.

A well-maintained lawn is less attractive to pests and will help to reduce the number of pseudoscorpions, bugs, and other pests that can invade your home.

Additionally, make sure to eliminate any hiding places around your property, as these can also serve as a haven for pests.

Trap the Pseudoscorpions and remove them from your property.

Humans are no danger from pseudoscorpions. Consequently, it is not advised to use pesticides to manage these animals.

Instead, you can capture individual pseudoscorpions in a glass container. (However, I would like to emphasize here that though pseudoscorpions are not dangerous to humans, it is nonetheless advisable to wear long gloves when working with them.)

That said, once the Pseudoscorpion is inside the jar, seal the mouth with construction paper or card stock and relocate the scorpion.

You can also vacuum these pests off your property!

Employ professional Help

If you don’t feel comfortable dealing with Pseudoscorpions directly or are concerned about how to eliminate them, you can always employ a pest control service that will be happy to assist with an infestation.

Pseudoscorpion specialists are skilled at locating even the smallest crevices via which these Spider with Claws are getting into your house. They’ll be able to determine the most effective way to get rid of them.

Conclusion

As you know, Pseudoscorpions, also known as Spider with Claws, are a type of arachnid closely related to scorpions. They are distinguishable from true scorpions by their lack of book lungs; and get their name from their resemblance to scorpions, including the presence of pincers or claws.

They are not harmful to humans and typically live in moist environments such as under bark or stones.

FAQs

Do spiders have claws?

Yes, All spider species possess two or three sets of claws.

 Is sea spider carnivore?

Most sea spiders are carnivorous, eating soft-bodied creatures, including anemones, bryozoans, hydroids, worms, and corals (some are known to also dine on algae). They extract biological fluids from their prey via their proboscis, a tube-like mouth that is frequently longer and larger than their bodies.

Do any insects have claws?

In an insect’s leg, the claws are the last (and closest to the body) segment. The majority of insects have two claws on each leg. Unguis is another name for (or classification of) Claw.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.