Friday, October 10, 2008

15 Minutes : Know It : Spiders

I am terrified of spiders. All insects nonetheless, but especially spiders. It really doesn't matter what size it is....I'm screamin'! Halloween spiders are a different story for me though. There something about a cute furry spider with googly eyes that doesn't seem too harmful displayed in my home. With Halloween around the corner I thought it only appropriate to learn more about this feared creature. And trust me, this is the only time I give the spider any kind of positive attention. The rest of the time I am busy smashing it with a shoe (preferably my husbands), covering it with a cup so my husband can smash it when he gets home, or paying the bug man to regularly spray.

Here are some fun and interesting facts about the creepy crawling things. And if it will make you feel better just picture the cute harmless googly eyed spider while reading.

My little guys is too young to really process all this knowledge but he sure does get it when I imitate one by briskly walking my two fingers up his leg to his neck and face. He thinks it's funny now but just wait until it's a real one :)

Spiders are NOT insects. Insects have three body parts and six legs. Spiders have eight legs and two body parts, the abdomen and the thorax.

Spiders have silk spinning glands called spinnerets, at the tip of their abdomen.


Not all spiders spin webs.

Spiders belong to the Arachnid family.


There are more than 30,000 species of spiders.


Spiders have as many as 8 eyes, but some spiders have only 6 eyes and several spiders have fewer or even none.


Most spiders have fangs, through which venom is ejected.


Spider bites can be quite painful, and a select few can be fatal.


Fear of spiders is called Arachnophobia. It is one of the most common fears among humans.


Tarantulas shed their furry skin as they grow, leaving behind what looks just like another tarantula.


Spiders eat many types of harmful insects, helping to keep your garden free of pests.


Spiders are creatures that have 8 legs, have no wings or antennae. They have 2 distinct body parts called the thorax or head and the abdomen.

Spiders have an exoskeleton, meaning that their skeleton is on the outside.


Spiders have as many as 8 eyes, but some spiders have only 6 eyes and several spiders have fewer or even none.

Most spiders are very nearsighted. To make up for this, they use the hair on their body to feel their way around and to sense when other animals are near.

Webs get dirty and torn, so lots of spiders make a new one every day. They don't waste the old one, though--they roll it up into a ball and eat it!

Young spiders resemble adults. Only their size and coloration differ.


Male spiders are usually smaller than female spiders.

Spiders are invertebrates, which means they don't have backbones. These small creatures help plants reproduce by pollinating them. They also help recycle dead trees and animals back into the earth. They are also a vital source of food for birds, fish, and small mammals.


Without invertebrates, like spiders and insects, many other living things would not survive.

Facts via www.tooter4kids.com

Photo via www.marthastewart.com

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