In our article we want to talk about spiders. With their numerous paws and eyes, they scare people. True, some still dare to keep them at home as a pet. However, scientists believe that there are quite interesting facts about spiders. In general, they are charming and amazing creatures.
Our attitude to spiders
In the world there are more than forty thousand different spiders. Some of them live next to us in our homes. And we don’t really know anything about these creatures. Of course, their appearance is not very attractive, but most of them did not deserve such a dismissive attitude towards them. They are completely safe for humans, and therefore do not be afraid of them. Although the world has poisonous species, the bite of which is very dangerous for humans.
Interesting Spider Facts
So, we want to tell you very interesting facts about these creatures, which you probably do not know.
1. Spiders are useful. Only one such creature kills annually about two thousand harmful insects that fall into its network. Mostly spiders feed on flies and mosquitoes. We can say that they make a significant contribution to the fight against harmful insects.
2. In Italy, in the 15-16 centuries, there was a belief that a man who was bitten by a tarantula was embraced by frenzy. This species of spiders lives exclusively in the south of the country. However, later scientists came to the conclusion that it was the tarantula that was completely safe. But the tarantula is really a poisonous and dangerous creature. However, it lives in completely different regions.
3. The largest spider in the world is goliath. Imagine that it can reach thirty centimeters. He catches and eats birds, although he can also feast on amphibians, rodents, insects, snakes. Spider villi are poisonous, which means they are dangerous to humans. But their poison is not fatal.
4. There is only one spider in the world - a vegetarian. This is Bagheera Kipling (this is the name of this species). A jumping spider eats plant leaves, especially likes acacia. Sometimes he can eat the larvae of ants, but this happens extremely rarely.
5. Spiders live all over the world. Only in the cold Antarctic do they not live. This is due to very low temperatures. There are only spider crabs that are not arachnids. But the Arctic is inhabited by more than 1000 species of these creatures.
6. Everyone knows that spiders spin a thread. However, not everyone knows that this thread is different for different species. The most durable silk thread spins Darwin's spider. It is so strong that it is superior in strength to the material from which bulletproof vests are made.
7. The most poisonous is the banana spider, which is dangerous for humans. Its venom paralyzes the muscles and respiratory system. However, it is not always during the bite that he injects poison.
8. At one time, spiders lay several thousand eggs. However, not all newborn babies survive to adulthood. So, out of a hundred eggs, only one spider will grow.
Amazing Spider Abilities
The hayfields we often meet are very similar in appearance to arachnids, but they do not belong to them.
Some species of spiders can jump very well. The distances they cover are impressive. During the jump, they still manage to unfold their silk thread, which gives them the opportunity to land accurately.
There are water spiders in the world. They can live under water. To be there, the spider around itself forms an air bubble that allows it to breathe. It should be noted that it is very toxic. But, fortunately, it is rare, and therefore does not pose a real threat to humans.
Discussing interesting facts about spiders, I want to say that they have a very special blood, which acquires a blue color in the air. It is absolutely not like the blood of animals and people. In fact, spiders do not have a circulatory system and shelter in the usual sense. They have hemolymph, providing communication between different organs. So, the main substance of hemolymph is copper, which is why in air, when oxidized, copper particles give such a blue color.
Are spiders edible?
Some arachnids are edible. In Asia, they are cooked and eaten. They can easily be bought in a restaurant or in the market. In Cambodia, for example, a fried spider is considered a treat. They are served on the table as a delicacy, because under the crust there is tasty meat.
Need to be afraid of spiders or turn it into a pet?
Sometimes spiders are kept in the house as a pet. Some varieties are large enough and able to develop a decent speed of movement. Imagine that such a creature overcomes something more than half a meter per second. This is just fantastic!
So what to do? Do you need to be afraid of spiders or just, having overcome disgust, to treat them with due respect?
Scientists have long established that people are obsessed with fear of arachnids.
Arachnophobia is a fear of spiders. Oddly enough, but up to six percent of the human population is subject to such fear. Even an ordinary photograph of a spider can cause panic and hysteria in people, a rapid heartbeat.
These interesting facts about spiders indicate that they should not be afraid. Rather, these creatures have more reason to fear humans.
Serebryanka
Earlier we mentioned a water spider - this is a silver spider. Interesting facts are related to his lifestyle. Agree that not every living creature will adapt to live under water. Moreover, he builds his house for himself, weaving a dome of threads. He himself fills it with air in a very interesting way.
The spider has eight eyes, but it does not see well. Therefore, the organ of touch for him are the villi on the paws. With their help, he gets his own food. Although he does not see, he perfectly senses all the vibrations. As soon as a crustacean enters his net, he immediately throws himself at it and takes it with him to the dwelling. There he eats it.
Cross spider: interesting facts
The cross-spider got its name due to the fact that on its back there are peculiar specks in the form of a cross. This creature is extremely dangerous and poisonous. His bite without immediate medical attention can lead to the most irreparable consequences for human life.
Listing interesting facts about spiders, I want to note that they are all heterosexual creatures. As for the cross, the male dies after mating. But the female begins to prepare for the appearance of offspring. She weaves a cocoon, which she first wears on her back, and then hides in a secluded place. There are her offspring.
At the beginning of life, males actively weave cobwebs for food, and by the mating period they begin to roam in search of a pair. That's why they lose weight. In general, females perceive them as potential prey and may well have a bite of them.
On the one hand, the cross is extremely dangerous for humans with its poison. But, on the other hand, there is a benefit brought by these creatures. For example, its web has an antibacterial effect, it is used to treat and disinfect wounds.
In addition, the cobweb is used in high-precision optical instruments. Here are some interesting facts about spiders that you can learn by starting to study these small, sometimes dangerous, and sometimes very useful creatures.
Tarantula spider
A tarantula spider is currently an exotic pet, which has become fashionable to keep at home. He is from South America. It is completely non-aggressive and rather slow. What interesting facts about the tarantula spider are known?
I must say that males of this species live only about three years, but females are much larger, about twelve. The tarantula has a threatening appearance, but its poison is not very dangerous for humans. It can be compared to a bee sting.
Living in the wild, he feeds on lizards, birds. If he ate tightly, he might not show up from the hole for a very long time. It is said that in captivity a spider may not eat for a whole year. But this does not affect his health. This behavior is inherent in nature.
Now this variety has become popular for home maintenance. But in captivity, spiders breed poorly. Therefore, they are caught in the wild. The maximum life span of a tarantula is thirty years! This is amazing. Here are some interesting facts about spiders for children, you can cite, starting to study arachnids.
I must say that this species is very large. Sometimes it can reach thirty centimeters in diameter. In fact, this is the size of the dinner plate. Their weight does not exceed one hundred grams.
If the spider senses danger, it begins to make menacing sounds like hissing. Thus he warns the enemies.
As a defense, he can throw small fibers into the air. Once on the body, they cause irritation and itching.
