# Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider (*metellina segmentata*) The Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider is a fascinating creature with long legs and a unique appearance. It spins beautiful webs that can catch flying insects, making it a skilled hunter! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Gardens, forests, and grassy areas in Europe - **Also known as:** Armoured Spider, Long-Jawed Spider ![Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2_Herbstspinnen_Metellina_segmentata_mit_Beute_4258.jpg&width=800) Photo: NobbiP, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2_Herbstspinnen_Metellina_segmentata_mit_Beute_4258.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider is a small arachnid with a distinctive elongated body and long, prominent chelicerae (jaws). It typically has a silvery-grey or brownish cephalothorax and abdomen, often adorned with a darker, sometimes foliate, pattern. Its 'armoured' appearance comes from its robust, somewhat flattened body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Arachnida - **Order:** Araneae - **Family:** Tetragnathidae - **Genus:** Metellina ## Interesting facts - Baby spiders hatch from tiny silk sacs that look like miniature planets! - Some scientists call them 'stretch spiders' because of their long bodies. - They often hang upside down in their web, waiting for a meal to fly by. - This spider spins a new, perfect web almost every single day! ## Special abilities - **Jaw Lock:** Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider can securely hold struggling prey because of its strong, elongated chelicerae. - **Web Weaver:** It can spin intricate, round orb-webs daily, catching flying insects with sticky silk for food. - **Winter Survivor:** This spider has specialized eggs that can withstand cold winter temperatures, ensuring future generations thrive. - **Armored Body:** Its robust, somewhat flattened body provides a form of natural armor, helping to protect it from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 3-7 mm - **Lifespan:** 300-400 days - **Leg Count:** 8 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny insects like flies and mosquitoes are this spider's favorite snack! - **Primary Foods:** flies, mosquitoes, small moths, gnats - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Trapped in its sticky web - **Eats:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — A common prey item - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — A tasty treat for hungry birds - **Eaten by:** Spider Wasp (*Anoplius viaticus*) — Wasp captures it for its young ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger Do not touch spiders; they are best admired from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider? Compare body proportions, leg shape, abdomen markings and the web, if there is one. Eye arrangement can be decisive but rarely shows up in a casual phone photo. A web is a supporting clue, not proof of who built it. Spider Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider? 3-7 mm ### How long does Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider live? 300-400 days ### What does Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider eat? Tiny insects like flies and mosquitoes are this spider's favorite snack! ### Where is Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider usually found? Gardens, forests, and grassy areas in Europe ### How does Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider have? 8 ## Where to spot - [Ike Kinswa State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ike-kinswa-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eurasian Armoured Long-Jawed Spider Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-armoured-long-jawed-spider)