April 20, 2026, 8:42 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The Nosferatu spider, originally native to the Mediterranean region, is increasingly spreading in Germany. For 20 years now, specimens have been found in the south of the country, but it has now also been spotted in northern Germany. But how venomous is this spider really? Do I need to protect myself and my pets from bites? PETBOOK consulted experts.
What’s the Deal with the Spider?
The Nosferatu spider (Zoropsis spinimana)—also known as the curled hunting spider—is spreading further. It was first detected in southern Germany in 2005. There have now been sightings in northern states, such as Berlin and Lower Saxony.
The species has spread along the Rhine, its tributaries, and in recent years via other transportation routes in Germany, said Hubert Höfer, deputy chairman of the Arachnological Society, which focuses on spiders in Central Europe, to the dpa. 1
The spider species, not originally native to Germany, does not yet have an official name besides its Latin designation. It was named after the 1922 silent film “Nosferatu,” which is said to resemble the spider’s back markings with a bit of imagination. The silent film and the modern version released in 2024 are loosely based on Bram Stoker’s vampire novel “Dracula.” Thus, the Nosferatu spider’s eerie reputation is already set.
How to Recognize the Nosferatu Spider
But is the spider with the creepy factor really dangerous to humans and animals? Physically, the spider is no larger than the common house spider, though its body is slightly bulkier and about two centimeters long. Its leg span is said to be up to five centimeters.
The Nosferatu spider belongs to the web spiders. Instead of waiting quietly in its spun web for prey, it prefers to hunt actively. The spider is particularly active at night. “It waits for prey and quickly pulls passing insects to its venomous fangs with its front legs,” explains Sönke Hofmann, managing director of NABU Bremen.
However, the Nosferatu spider also spins cocoons, which it uses to raise its offspring. Interestingly, due to its adhesive hairs, the Nosferatu spider can walk on vertical glass surfaces, allowing it to enter homes and apartments. 2
This Highly Venomous Spider Now Also Lives in Germany
Do You Know These Unusual Animal Phobias?
Is the Spider Venomous to Humans?
Julian Heiermann, team leader for conservation and environmental information at NABU, gives PETBOOK a clear answer to the question of how dangerous the Nosferatu spider really is. “According to our current knowledge, the bite is no more dangerous than the sting of a honeybee or wasp. The spider is strong enough to penetrate our skin at thinner spots with its biting tools, but the spider venom is similar and not more painful than a bee or wasp sting. Allergic reactions are possible in this context. The spider does not actively attack humans but can defend itself with bites if picked up or accidentally touched.”
On the question of how the spider could spread in Germany, Heiermann told PETBOOK: “The Nosferatu spider was apparently introduced to Germany by traveling people or global goods transport. It is a heat-loving spider species that is likely to benefit from the ongoing climate warming in its spread. Similar to the native house spider, the Nosferatu spider seems to feel very comfortable in our warm living spaces.”
Can the Nosferatu Spider Be Dangerous to My Pet?
NABU assumes that the bite of a Nosferatu spider affects animals similarly to humans. Panic should not ensue. When asked whether the Nosferatu spider also threatens native species and can be considered invasive, NABU explains that there is currently no evidence of this. However, animal rights activists urge reporting all sightings of the spider species on their platform Naturgucker.de.