2. Where do spiders live?
Spiders can thrive and live in almost any place: on the
edges of the ocean, on plants, under rocks, in trees, in
caves and even over the water.
The only places that spiders cannot inhabit are the
oceans, the highest mountains and the polar regions.
Spiders are seen on almost every continent.
3. The Body of a Spider
Spiders have two body segments. The front segment is
called the Cephalothorax. The spider’s eyes, mouth
fangs, stomach, brain and the glands that make the
poison are on this part of the body.
4. The legs are connected to this part, as
well. Most spiders have eight eyes, but some
have less. Spiders also have these tiny little leg-
isn things called ‘pedipalps’ that are beside the
fangs.
5. The second part of the body is called the
Abdomen. The back end of the abdomen is where the
spinnerets, the silk producing glands, are.
Spider’s legs are covered with many hairs. The hairs
pick up vibrations and smells from the air. At the end
of the legs are, at least, two small claws. Spiders have
48 knees.
6. Spiders do not have a skeleton inside their
bodies. They have a hard outer shell called an
‘exoskeleton’. So young spiders need to molt or shed
their exoskeleton.
Spider males are usually smaller than females.
7. WHAT DO SPIDERS EAT?
The spiders are predatory on other animals, especially
insects and other spiders. Very large spiders are capable of
preying on small vertebrate animals such as lizards, frogs,
fish, tadpoles, or even small snakes or baby rodents.
Large orb weavers have been observed to occasionally
ensnare small birds or bats. Recently, a jumping spider was
discovered in Central America that feeds mostly on special
fruiting bodies on acacia trees.
8. HOW DOES THE SPIDER REPRODUCE?
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The life cycle of spiders is performed by oviparia
(reproduction by egg); from the eggs emerge small
spiders that grow as they do molts its exoskeleton, but
they are very different morphologically from adults.
9. The males seek out females for courting
them and achieve the reproduction.
Through the pedipalps males introduced
the set of male gametes (spermatophore)
in the female reproductive structures.
Finished mating rite, usually females killing
males.
