Orange Six-Eyed Shield-Carrying Goblin Discovered

On Japan’s tropical Iriomote Island, scientists have discovered another arachnid species. This time, they aren’t positive where it even came from. Since Tawain is also a neighbor to the island, it is possible the spider migrated from there and not Japan. These small, ground-dwelling spiders from the Oonopidae family were found in leaf litter on the forest floor. They do not make webs like most spiders but instead hunt for their prey, which isn’t entirely un-goblinlike.

Ischnothyreus ogatai

This minuscule creature is not only a goblin but a six-eyed, orange, shield-carrying one! This is not the first goblin spider the world has seen. There have been approximately 2,500 goblin spiders discovered, and they are all tiny at only a few millimeters long. The tropical goblin spider female is a tiny 0.063 inches long (1.61 millimeters), while the male of the species is a minuscule .051 inches long (1.31 millimeters). This new spider species, Ischnothyreus ogatai, whose common Japanese name is Ogata-Yoroi-Danigumo.

The newly discovered tiny goblin spider is similar to other goblin spiders in that it only possesses six small eyes, as compared to the eight eyes most species of spiders have. The spider’s body’s carapace and abdomen are a reddish-orange color, though the legs and sternum take on more of a yellowish brown. Overall, it appears orange.

What sets this goblin spider apart from the others is the small shield it carries on its back. The shield, or scutum, covers a portion of the abdomen for protection. This little orange

Goblin Spider Facts

• Goblin spiders have varying amounts of eyes. Some have six, while others have less, and some have none at all!
• They are relentless killers of springtails that jump onto the backs of their victims to contain them in a deadly arachnid hug.
• Goblin spiders existed millions of years ago in the Cretaceous Period and are found in amber frequently.
• Goblin spiders get their name from the oddities that come along with their appearance, like; shields on their backs, long hooks, and spikes on their legs.
• The six-eyed goblin spider has its eyes clustered at the front of its head in the shape of an H.
• Some goblin spiders are named after famous goblins. There’s even one named “unicorn.”