Spiders are truly an interesting critter if you can get past how creepy they are. With the different characteristics and attributes that separate them from other insects, it’s no wonder why they have been studied and even kept as pets by some unique individuals. Today, we at Animal Pest Management would like to share some interesting facts concerning spiders.
Facts All About Spiders
1) Body Parts of a Spider. There are two parts to a spider’s body; the cephalothorax, and an abdomen. All spiders carry this trait. The cephalothorax consists of the anterior body region which is where the eyes, fangs, palps, and legs are all found. The posterior region, or their abdomen, resides the spinnerets. A narrow pedicel is what attaches the un-segmented abdomen to the cephalothorax; giving the spider an illusion of having a waist.
2) Not All Spiders are Venomous. Nearly all spiders are venomous, with the exception of one family. Venom is what spiders use to subdue their prey. Near the fangs (chelicerae) is where the venom glands reside and are attached by ducts. Muscles around the venom glands contract when the spider bites its prey, which pushes this venom through the fang and injects it into their prey. Generally, most venom will paralyze the prey. Spiders of the Uloboridae family do not possess venom glands.
3) Spiders Catch Their Prey in Different Ways. All spiders hunt and capture their prey, making them predators. Though few of the larger spiders will prey on vertebrates such as birds, most will feed on other insects and other invertebrates.
4) Spiders Eat & Drink. Solid foods can’t be digested by spiders. Before the spider can eat, it must liquefy its prey. Digestive enzymes are projected on the victim’s body and once the tissues are broken down, the spider will suck up the liquefied remained along with the digestive enzymes.
5) Spiders Make Silk. All spiders produce silk and do so throughout their lifecycles. They use the silks for many reasons such as to capture prey, protect their offspring, for shelter, to increase their mobility speed, as well as to reproduce. However, not all spiders use the silk in the same way.
6) Spider Web Facts. Not all spiders construct webs. For example, wolf spiders do not use a web, but will stalk and ambush their prey. Jumping spiders do not have any use for webs either as their incredible eyesight and movement allows them to pounce on their prey.
7) How Do Spiders Mate? Male spiders use pedipalps to mate sexually, but will transfer sperm unusually. The male will first prepare a silk bed or web and deposit his sperm on it. He then collects the sperm onto his pedipalps, which stores the semen in a sperm duct. He then inserts his pedipalp into the female’s genital opening and releases his sperm.
8) Female Spiders Sometimes Eat Males. Males can be potentially eaten by their female mates. If the female is hungry enough their male suitor can run the risk of being among the invertebrate prey she will feed on. Male spiders will usually identify themselves as a mate by performing an elaborate dance to avoid being perceived as a meal.
9) Spider Egg Sac Hatching. Spiders protect their eggs using silk. Just after mating, females prepare a silk bed to deposit her eggs. After she produces the eggs, she will cover them up with more silk.
10) Spider Legs, Muscle & Movement. Spiders rely on muscle and blood pressure to move their legs. A spider can increase the blood pressure in the legs by contracting muscles in the cephalothorax because some joints legs lack extensor muscles entirely, which effectively extend their legs at these joints.
Spider Inspections, Control & More in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
We hope this was an exciting look at spiders. But not all people want spiders in or near their home. If you have a spider infestation you need taken care of, call Animal Pest Management and let our specialists solve all your pest control problems.