Scientists have discovered a new species of poisonous spider in Florida, which appears to be related to the tarantula spider.
The Miami Zoo announced in a press release that its staff have helped and identified a new species of poisonous spider called the Pine Rockland Shutter Spider (Ummidia richmond).
This creature was first discovered in 2012 in an area near the Miami Zoo by a zookeeper observing reptile research traps.
The zookeeper took a photo of this spider and sent it to the Department of Research and Conservation to identify the spider. But the zoo said it “does not match any existing records of known species in the area.”
Years of research later, Dr Rebecca Godwin of the University of Piedmont in Georgia confirmed that this is a new species.
According to the Miami Zoo, the recently discovered poisonous spider is a “camouflage expert.” Like other trap spiders, it builds burrows in which it hides and ambushes its prey.
