Hackled Orb-Weavers (Uloboridae)

With nearly 300 species, Uloboridae is a species-poor family of spiders, predominantly found in the subtropics and tropics, with only a few species reaching into the temperate zone. These predominantly small animals of 3–10 mm body length have, as a very special feature among spiders, completely reduced their venom glands. The reasons for this are unknown. It does mean, though, that they cannot envenomate captured prey, instead they must immediately wrap up a captured insect. Uloboridae have, therefore, become true packaging artists who wrap their prey so perfectly that escape is no longer possible. Apparently, the loss of venom glands has been more than adequately compensated in this way.