the spiders

THE SPIDERS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

HOW DOES THE SPIDER REPRODUCE?• •

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.

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.

THE END