The unconventional guide to spiders

Spiders, I am sure you have come across this term many times in your life, but do you really think you know enough about these mysterious creatures?? Can you answer to questions like how many species of spiders are there or which is the only vegetarian spider?? If not, stay tuned and you will find solutions to all such questions and many more!!

Introduction

Let's start with a mere introduction of spiders, how will you describe a spider, well doesn't know about you but wikipedia defines it as "a air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs and chelicerae with fangs able to inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all of organisms". Spiders can be found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica. As of a survey conducted by taxonomist, there are approximately 40-45,000 species present all over the world, with approx 113 families.

Anatomy of a spider

The anatomy of spiders includes many characteristics shared with other arachnids. These characteristics include bodies divided into two segments, eight jointed legs, no wings or antennae, the presence of chelicerae and pedipalps, simple eyes, and an exoskeleton, which is periodically shed.

Spiders also have several adaptations that distinguish them from other arachnids. All spiders are capable of producing silk of various types, which many species use to build webs to ensnare prey. Most spiders possess venom, which is injected into prey (or defensively, when the spider feels threatened) through the fangs of the chelicerae. Male spiders have specialized pedipalps that are used to transfer sperm to the female during mating. Many species of spiders exhibit a great deal of sexual dimorphism.

Some interesting spiders:

1. Are there any vegetarian spiders

There's one out there, but out of 40,000 spider species you'll struggle to find it – unless it jumps out at you.

Just one. Out of around 40,000 spider species, Bagheera kiplingi is the only spider known to have a herbivorous diet. It lives in Mexico and Costa Rica, is a species of 'jumping spider', and feeds mostly on protein nodules of the acacia tree. But even this spider sometimes eats ant larvae, so perhaps it is closer to the sort of vegetarian that doesn’t count prawns!

Bagheera kiplingi

2. The largest spider on the earth

The largest spider in the world is the Goliath Bird-Eating tarantula. Yes, as the name suggests, this spider is large enough to eat birds, and it does. Yikes! The Goliath can reach up to 1-foot in body length and has 1-inch long fangs. It's considered bigger than the Huntsman Spider because it has a heavier body mass. The Goliath has tiny hairs on its body that it shoots at whoever or whatever is threatening it. Its bite isn't deadly to humans (unless you're allergic), but if you get bit by one, expect to experience severe pain, nausea and profuse sweating.

Goliath Bird-Eating tarantula

3.What is the Most Venomous Spider in the World

When a spider’s scientific name is derived from the Greek for murderess (Phoneutria) you can guess it’s going to be trouble and this is certainly the case for the wandering spiders. According to Guinness World Records the Brazilian wandering spider. (Phoneutria fera) is officially the world’s most venomous spider. It is capable of injecting a powerful neurotoxin which is nearly 20 times more deadly that that of the Black Widow spider if it gets into the blood stream. That is as potent as the venom of many deadly snake species and the effects are similar. The symptoms of envenomation include a loss of muscle control leading to breathing problems which can result in complete respiratory paralysis and eventually asphyxiation.
But there are two other major side effects to the wandering spider’s bite; firstly there is intense pain and secondly, if you happen to be male there is the four hour hard on. Yes, you did read that correctly – the bite of the Brazilian wandering spider can cause an erection that lasts for several hours, unfortunately it is also painful.

Brazilian wandering
             spider

4.What Is the Smallest Spider in the World?

The smallest species of spider in the world is the patu digua. The male patu digua is only as large as the head of a pin.

Not much is known about the patu digua. It is too small to photograph, and according to the Guinness Book of World Records, even photographing this species with a microscope will not present a clear picture. What is known is that this spider lives in Western Samoa in the moss that grows there.

           Patu digua