Singapore Spiders

Spiders are intriguing creatures. They occupy a special place in the public imagination. Often feared or misunderstood, spiders also contribute to some of nature’s most remarkable sights – a complex spider web glistening in the morning mist, for instance, often evokes a sense of awe and wonder. It is no wonder that a growing number of nature photographers in Singapore have started to zoom in on spiders. Yet there has been no recent guide since Joseph Koh’s A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders was published in 1989. 

It is hence timely that four spider experts, Joseph Koh, David Court, Chris Ang and Paul Ng, have come together to produce this fascinating photographic guide. The co-authors are serious and meticulous taxonomists, and have contributed significantly to our collective understanding of the taxonomy, natural history, behaviour and ecology of biodiversity in Singapore.

This new book features 790 species of spiders found in Singapore, out of a total of slightly more than 900 species that have been discovered so far. As predators, spiders are at the pinnacle of the food pyramid among invertebrates. They help to balance and control populations naturally. A rich and thriving spider fauna therefore indicates the health and wealth of natural capital that we enjoy in our City in Nature.

Bridging science with popular natural history, this book will serve as an excellent resource for all nature enthusiasts – from scientists and environmental consultants, to weekend naturalists and nature photographers, along with students, teachers, and participants in the National Parks Board’s Community in Nature citizen science programmes, among others. 

Nature education and community participation provide the foundation for realising our City in Nature vision and our Singapore Green Plan ambitions. I would like to thank the authors for inspiring the younger generation to love and protect nature like they do. I would also like to thank Parks for supporting this and other guidebooks showcasing Singapore’s wonderful native flora and fauna. 

We might be a small city-state, but we are home to rich biodiversity, with many species yet to be discovered. It is thus our responsibility to take good care of our natural heritage. By respecting our biodiversity, using more nature-based solutions, and weaving nature more closely into our urban fabric, we can better balance between conservation and development on our land-scarce island, and live in harmony with our natural environment for generations to come. Let’s work together to grow a greener City in Nature.