Christopher Nicholas - Spiders

There are more than 35,000 different kinds of them. They can be found almost everywhere. They are one of the few animals in the world that use traps to catch prey. And they have been the stars of hundreds of scary movies. What are they? (Hint: turn the page to find out...) What is a spider? It is an arachnid (ah-RAK-nid) a class of animal that includes scorpions and ticks. Many people think that spiders are insects, but they are not.

Answer: SPIDERS!

Both insects and spiders have an exoskeleton, or hard shell, on the outside of their body. But unlike insects, spiders have only two separate body sections: the cephalothorax (sef-ah-lo-THOR-aks), which is the head and chest area, and the abdomen. (Insects have three body sections!) Spiders are distant relatives of lobsters and crabs! All spiders have eight legs four on each side. (Insects only have six legs!) wandering spider Many spiders have sharp claws on their feet that help them climb! Exoskeleton Two sections: cephalothorax and abdomen Eight legs Up to eight eyes Fangs And speaking of eight, spiders have up to eight eyes! They also have fangs that they use when they eat. wolf spider Body Parts What do spiders eat? Anything they are big enough to catch! Thats why most spiders feed on insects and sometimes other spiders. wolf spider Big spiders have big appetites! Some are large enough to eat mice, frogs, lizards, and small birds! But no matter the size, every spider uses its fangs to inject venom.

The venom paralyzes or kills the victim. Then the spider sucks out its bodily juices. Spiders cant chew, so they only eat liquids. Insects Other spiders Fish Mice Frogs and lizards Small birds tarantula 's Eat

Where do spiders live? Everywhere! Spiders are found in all areas of the world forests, deserts, the tropics, mountains, caves, even in the icy - cold Arctic! Some even live on the waters edge. tarantula crab spider marbled orb weaver fishing spider Forests Deserts Tropical rainforests Mountains The Arctic Beaches Near lakes, streams, and ponds Caves In your home common house spider Some spiders like to make their home in your home! 's Live In How do spiders spin webs? They use special body parts called spinnerets that are located in their abdomen! The spinnerets release long, sticky strands of silk thread. The spider weaves the silk strands together into a web! banded garden spider To make a web like this, a spider starts by making triangles that meet at the center.

Then it weaves a circular pattern around that point.

Why do spiders spin webs? For lots of reasons! Many spiders use their webs as homes and to trap victims! The orb weaver spins a big, sticky web to catch a meal. Insects fly into it and get stuck and then theyre spider food! (Too bad, fly!) orb weaver The funnel weaver spins a cone - shaped web and waits inside. When a victim comes into its funnel web the spider strikes! Australian funnel weaver Some spiders, however, do not spin silk for homes or traps. The jumping spider spins a silk safety line when it makes a big jump! Although spiders do not have wings, they can sometimes sail through the air for great distances. jumping spider The female nursery web spider wraps her eggs safely in a silk sack. jumping spider The female nursery web spider wraps her eggs safely in a silk sack.

Then she builds a nursery for the sack by folding over a leaf and tying it up with silk! Its just like a spider - baby bassinet! To build homes To catch other animals To make safety lines To travel great distances To protect eggs nursery web spider wolf spider Why 's Spin Silk

Where do baby spiders come from? Quickly turn back the page to find out! (Go ahead!) Thats right they hatch from eggs! Baby spiders are called spiderlings. Some spiderlings ride on their mothers back until they are large and strong enough to be on their own. female wolf spider black and yellow garden spider, with egg sack As they get bigger, spiderlings outgrow their exoskeletons just like you outgrow an old pair of sneakers! And as they shed their hard shells, new ones form. Hatch from eggs Some ride on mothers back Shed their skin as they grow yellow crab spider shedding outer shell 's Grow Up How