Land invertebrates
CITE
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Spiders A-Z. (2022). In Q-files Encyclopedia, Life, Land invertebrates. Retrieved from
https://www.q-files.com/life/land-invertebrates/spiders-a-z
"Spiders A-Z." Life, Land invertebrates, Q-files Encyclopedia, 10 Feb. 2022.
https://www.q-files.com/life/land-invertebrates/spiders-a-z.
Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Spiders A-Z 2022. Life, Land invertebrates. Retrieved 19 March 2024, from
https://www.q-files.com/life/land-invertebrates/spiders-a-z
Life, Land invertebrates, s.v. "Spiders A-Z," accessed March 19, 2024.
https://www.q-files.com/life/land-invertebrates/spiders-a-z
Spiders A-Z
Bird-eating spider A South American tarantula. The bird-eating spider is the largest known spider, with a body 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) long and a leg span of up to 30 centimetres (1 foot). It chases its prey across the rainforest floor. It feeds mainly on insects or lizards and frogs, but rarely on birds.
Black widow spider A tiny, black spider with red markings. It spins a web to catch flying insects. After mating, the female eats the male, a practice for which the spider is named. Black widows only bite if provoked, but their venom can easily kill humans.
Fishing spider A spider that skates across water in search of tadpoles and fish. The fishing spider lures prey by dangling a leg in the water. When a creature investigates, it snatches it up and drags it on to land to feed.
Funnel-web spider A spider that builds funnel-shaped webs at the entrance to its burrow. The spider lurks at the narrow end of the web, waiting for an insect to stumble into its trap. Funnel-web spiders live in Australia and Asia. They are aggressive and their bite can be fatal.
Jumping spider A small spider that jumps from spot to spot in pursuit of its prey. A jumping spider has large eyes for spotting prey and judging distances. It eats mostly moths and flies, but may attack larger creatures. Males may be brightly coloured in order to attract a mate.
Nursery web spider A small spider that builds a protective, tent-like web in which to raise its young.
Ogre-faced spider A slim spider with stick-like legs. One pair of its eyes are very large, giving it an ogre-like appearance. The ogre-faced spider spins a small web, which it throws over insects like a net to trap them.
Orb-weaver A small spider that spins spiral-shaped webs between branches. It may eat its web at the end of the day, recycling nutrients in order to build a new one.
Pedipalps Feelers near a spider’s mouth, used to grab prey and pull it to the mouth. They are also essential during mating, for delivering sperm to the female.
Silk A strong thread, made from liquid produced in a spider’s abdomen. As it is drawn out through the spinneret, it becomes solid. Spiders use silk to build webs, contain their eggs, wrap up prey or form a safety line when jumping.
Spitting spider A small spider that catches its prey by squirting poisoned silk at it. Its aim is deadly accurate. As soon as an insect is entangled, the spitting spider moves forward to paralyze it with its bite.
Tarantula A large, hairy spider. It feeds mostly on insects, but larger species can kill lizards or rodents. Tarantulas use their hairs to detect vibrations. They can also flick them at attackers to cause itching.
Trapdoor spider A spider that ambushes its prey from a burrow. The entrance to the burrow is sealed by a lid, with a hinge made from spider silk. The trapdoor spider rushes out when it detects vibrations made by its prey.
Wolf spider A small spider, also known as the wandering spider. It stalks its prey on the ground. It has large eyes for spotting its prey, which it may ambush or even chase over a short distance.
Consultant: Chris Jarvis