'Mouse-sized' spiders alarm residents in Atyrau suburb

Tengrinews.kz - Residents of Geolog, a suburb near Atyrau, have shared videos on social media showing unusually large spiders, which locals claim are as big as mice, citing AtyrauPress.
According to residents, the spiders have been spotted mostly in private homes, garages, and outbuildings.
Online users are debating whether the spiders pose a danger—some believe they are harmless, while others fear they could be venomous karakurts.













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Experts who analyzed the footage say the spiders are likely wolf spiders and black eresus (commonly known as ladybird spiders). While both species can appear large, they are not considered dangerous to humans.
The black eresus is venomous and its bite can cause intense pain, numbness, restricted movement, and localized soreness. However, the bite is not fatal.
Wolf spiders, on the other hand, pose no threat to humans. Their bites usually cause only mild pain, redness, or itching. These spiders are considered beneficial as they help control populations of harmful insects and garden pests, playing an important role in maintaining ecological balance.
Experts suggest the surge in spider sightings could be due to a mild winter, a wet spring, and a decrease in natural predators like hedgehogs.
Read also: Where to go if you find a black widow spider at home in Almaty