A genus of spider that occurs in Africa, in the southern hemisphere. With six eye arranged in groups of two (diads), lend to the name "six-eyed sand spider" also known as crab spiders in South Africa. What are called crab spiders in the
USA are actually of the
family Thomisidae, Sicarius on the other hand is more closely related to the genus Loxoceles than Thomisidae.
Sicarius spiders are found in
sandy deserts and hunt by burrying themselves in the sand and lying in wait for prey. For this reason they are rarely encountered by
humans, which is good considering the venom is the most potent spider venom in the
world, even more than the Phoneutria (wandering spiders) or Atrax robusta (
sydney funnel web. The effects are similar to bites of L.reclusa,due to very similar chemical properties, but FAR more potent. They are reluctant to bite, but should never be handled.
Joe: "This sicarius just
bit me, because I was messing with it, and I think I may be dying"
Bill: "I'm very certain you are
Joe, can I have your Abba records?"