Spider

Spider species number more than 50,000 worldwide, occupying every habitat from rainforest canopies to basement corners. Unlike insects, spiders have eight legs and two body segments: the cephalothorax and abdomen. Spinnerets at the rear of the abdomen extrude silk proteins that harden upon contact with air. Orb-weaving spiders create delicate wheels of sticky threads, while wolf spiders chase prey on foot and jumping spiders pounce with incredible accuracy.

Spider silk is stronger than steel by weight and serves many functions: draglines anchor spiders to safety, sticky spirals capture insects, and egg sacs protect developing spiderlings. Some species, like bolas spiders, swing a single sticky glob to snare moths by mimicking female pheromones. Tarantulas fling urticating hairs to deter attackers, and many spiders possess venom that immobilizes prey but is harmless to humans.

Spiders hunt by sensing vibrations through their webs or using keen eyesight. Jumping spiders have large forward-facing eyes that provide depth perception for accurate leaps. After capturing prey, spiders inject digestive enzymes and suck up liquefied tissue. They rarely waste food, often wrapping leftovers in silk for later.

Far from being pests, spiders naturally control mosquito, fly, and agricultural pest populations. However, fear and habitat destruction reduce spider numbers. Pesticides kill both pests and beneficial spiders, disrupting ecological balance. Conservationists encourage leaving webs undisturbed, installing bat and bird boxes to complement spider pest control, and preserving leaf litter that shelters ground-dwelling species.

Students explore spider diversity by mapping web types, testing silk strength, or observing courtship dances through magnifying lenses. Citizen scientists submit photos to projects like SpiderSpotter, helping researchers track distribution. By appreciating spiders and reducing unnecessary spraying, communities keep these silk architects patrolling gardens and forests.