ALL ABOUT SPIDER

 Spiders are fascinating creatures! Here’s a comprehensive look at them:

Basic Information

• Scientific Classification: Spiders belong to the class Arachnida and the order Araneae.

• Number of Species: There are over 50,000 known species of spiders worldwide.

• Habitat: They live in almost every habitat, from rainforests and deserts to human homes.

Physical Features

• Body Structure: Spiders have two main body parts – the cephalothorax (head and thorax fused together) and the abdomen.

• Legs: They have eight legs, each with tiny hairs that help them sense vibrations.

• Eyes: Most spiders have eight eyes, but some species have fewer.

• Fangs & Venom: All spiders have fangs and most have venom, which they use to immobilize prey.

Webs & Hunting

• Silk Production: Spiders produce silk from spinnerets located at the back of their abdomen.

• Web Types:

  • Orb webs (classic round shape)

  • Funnel webs

  • Cobwebs

  • Sheet webs

• Hunting Methods:

  • Web-building spiders trap prey in their webs.

  • Hunting spiders, like wolf spiders, chase and pounce on their prey.

Diet & Feeding

• Primary Diet: Spiders eat insects, but some larger species, like tarantulas, eat small birds and reptiles.

• Digestion: They inject digestive enzymes into their prey to liquefy it before sucking it up.

Reproduction

• Mating Rituals: Male spiders often perform courtship dances to attract females.

• Eggs: Females lay eggs in silk sacs, sometimes carrying them for protection.

• Spiderlings: Baby spiders hatch and may disperse by "ballooning," where they float on silk strands carried by the wind.

Interesting Spider Facts

• The Goliath birdeater is the largest spider by weight, while the giant huntsman spider has the longest leg span.

• The black widow and Brazilian wandering spider are among the most venomous to humans.

• Not all spiders make webs—some, like jumping spiders, rely on agility and sharp vision to hunt.