Spiders: Top 5 Interesting Facts
Just mention the term “spider”, and you’re likely to garner feelings of fear and disgust. However, despite however you perceive them, there are probably things a few things you don’t know about them – interesting facts that make you marvel at them, as well as appreciate them just a bit more.
1. Spiders are not insects
Contrary to popular belief, spiders aren’t actually insects. Instead, they belong to the Arachnid family – which scorpions, ticks and mites belong to as well. While insects have six legs and three main body parts – a head, a thorax, and an abdomen – arachnids have six legs and two body parts (an abdomen and a cephalothorax).
2. Spiders are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Everywhere else in the world, around 38,000 species of spiders have been discovered. Scientists estimate that there is a lot more to be discovered. Additionally, they are responsible for a thriving ecosystem, as they consume otherwise deadly insects (eating more than what birds and bats combined do), aid in the pollination of plants, and help recycle dead flora and fauna back into the earth.
3. The largest spider in the world is the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula.
Despite its namesake, this colossal-sized tarantula rarely eats birds – though it’s certainly capable of doing so. It can grow up to 11 inches wide, and its fangs are growing up to one inch in length. As a predator, it mostly hunts amphibians, mice, bats, and small snakes, as well as insects. Thankfully, they are pretty harmless to humans, though they will bite a person if they feel threatened.
4. Generally, spider silk is widely regarded as nature’s strongest fabric.
In terms of its strength, spider silk is almost as strong as a steel thread of around the same thickness and has better elasticity, so much so that you can pluck the threads like guitar strings. The silk comes from spinnerets at the back of their abdomens, each one functioning as a small showerhead with individual holes that blast liquid silk. Different substances also affect the way spiders spin – for example, caffeine makes spiders create sloppy webs, while arachnids on LSD have been shown to spin beautiful, symmetrical ones.
5. The most deadly spiders in the world include the black widow, funnel web, and brown recluse spiders.
The most deadly spider in the world is called the Brazilian Wandering Spider – also known as the banana spider – is capable of killing a human with just a small amount of venom. Ironically, one of the most feared arachnid species in the world – tarantula—has no record of causing a human fatality, and actually has weak venom that burns more similarly to a bee sting.
Just mention the term “spider”, and you’re likely to garner feelings of fear and disgust. However, despite however you perceive them, there are probably things a few things you don’t know about them – interesting facts that make you marvel at them, as well as appreciate them just a bit more.
1. Spiders are not insects
Contrary to popular belief, spiders aren’t actually insects. Instead, they belong to the Arachnid family – which scorpions, ticks and mites belong to as well. While insects have six legs and three main body parts – a head, a thorax, and an abdomen – arachnids have six legs and two body parts (an abdomen and a cephalothorax).
2. Spiders are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Everywhere else in the world, around 38,000 species of spiders have been discovered. Scientists estimate that there is a lot more to be discovered. Additionally, they are responsible for a thriving ecosystem, as they consume otherwise deadly insects (eating more than what birds and bats combined do), aid in the pollination of plants, and help recycle dead flora and fauna back into the earth.
3. The largest spider in the world is the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula.
Despite its namesake, this colossal-sized tarantula rarely eats birds – though it’s certainly capable of doing so. It can grow up to 11 inches wide, and its fangs are growing up to one inch in length. As a predator, it mostly hunts amphibians, mice, bats, and small snakes, as well as insects. Thankfully, they are pretty harmless to humans, though they will bite a person if they feel threatened.
4. Generally, spider silk is widely regarded as nature’s strongest fabric.
In terms of its strength, spider silk is almost as strong as a steel thread of around the same thickness and has better elasticity, so much so that you can pluck the threads like guitar strings. The silk comes from spinnerets at the back of their abdomens, each one functioning as a small showerhead with individual holes that blast liquid silk. Different substances also affect the way spiders spin – for example, caffeine makes spiders create sloppy webs, while arachnids on LSD have been shown to spin beautiful, symmetrical ones.
5. The most deadly spiders in the world include the black widow, funnel web, and brown recluse spiders.
The most deadly spider in the world is called the Brazilian Wandering Spider – also known as the banana spider – is capable of killing a human with just a small amount of venom. Ironically, one of the most feared arachnid species in the world – tarantula—has no record of causing a human fatality, and actually has weak venom that burns more similarly to a bee sting.
We continue to be Southern California’s preferred termite and pest control service, provider.
