Spiders

There is somewhere in region of 40,000 different species of spider. They are found worldwide apart from the frozen poles. All spiders have eight legs and all apart from one Bagheera kiblingi live on other insects or small animals.

The Worlds Largest Spider is the Goliath Bird Eating Spider Theraphosa leblondi which has a 12 inch leg span and weighs up to 160 grammes.

The Worlds Smallest Spider (found so far) is the Samoan Moss Spider Patu marplesi. A fully grown male will have a leg span of just 0.017 inches.

The Worlds Most Poisonous Spider is the Brazilian Wandering Spider Phoneutria spp which packs a potent neurotoxin.

Spider web, ounce for ounce is the strongest organic substance on the planet.

The worlds spiders consume a combined weight of insects every year which is greater than the combined weight of all human beings on the planet.

Spider web was formerly used in the manufacture of telescopic gun sights.

Polynesian fishermen use spider web as fishing line.

Spiders can use their web to balloon and travel all over the world. They have been found up to 10,000 metres.

Whether people eat eight spiders during sleep during their lifetime is considered by some to be half way between an urban legend and deliberate fiction. Mind you if you can think of the number of times a fly has flown into your mouth there may be more truth than fable.

One of the most common of human fears is Arachnaphobia...fear of spiders.

Some species of spider will live for more than 25 years.

The Spider 

Tied her

Gossamer strings

In rings

Around

And bound

Her Prey

She spun

For fun

And ate

To sate

Her unfortunate mate

Today 

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How to Treat Spider Bites

Spider Information

Spiders As Pets: A Beginner's Guide To Spider Keeping

Spiders

The Brazilian Wandering Spider