Arachnids
Arachnids have four pairs of jointed legs, two body sections and simple eyes. Arachnids are aggressive predators and include spiders, scorpions, mites and ticks.
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Tarantulas Are Big and Hairy But Not So Scary
Tarantulas are the largest spiders in the world and, believe it or not, some can live for up to 30 years.
Spiders Can Spin Webs of Silk Stronger Than Steel
Not all spiders spin webs, but the eight-legged arachnids that do, spin all kinds of different webs, some big, some small.
The Brown Recluse Spider: Its Reputation Is Worse Than Its Bite
Ninety percent of brown recluse bites don't have any effect at all — but the mythology around these creatures and their bites is legendary.
Will the Real Banana Spider Please Stand Up?
Is the "banana spider" you're looking at the one that sits around harmlessly catching flies, or could its bite kill a small child? If we rely solely on common names, this question is complicated.
Camel Spiders: Murderous Speed Demons of the Desert
These arachnids are aggressive, unbelievably fast and love to murder ants for no reason, but don't worry — they're harmless.
How Many Legs Does a Millipede Really Have?
If you think the answer is 1,000, you're way way off.
Don't Be Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders might find their way into your house and can look threatening, but they're really harmless.
Why Scorpions Glow Under Black Light
There are lots of theories. Maybe fluorescence helps them find each other in the dark?
Several New Species of Tarantula Found High in the Andes
A Columbia University scientist stumbled upon the first of seven new spiders while hunting for local frogs.
New Tick Species Appears in U.S. for First Time in 50 Years
The Asian longhorned tick has shown up in six states so far, and nobody knows how it got here.
Chippy, Sniggy and Tiggy: Cutest Goblin Spiders Ever?
The newest goblin spiders hail from Sri Lanka, and they're named after fanciful and fictional goblins and brownies.
It's a Bird! It's a Spider! It's Pelican Spider!
The pelican spider would just as soon eat another spider as look at one.
She Mates, She Kills — and That's OK With Male Brown Widows
Male brown widow spiders stubbornly court the oldest females they can find, though younger females are more fertile and far less dangerous.
Unique Silk Physics Keeps Dangling Spiders From Twisting Wildly
Spider silk adds another notch to its belt of amazing properties.
Each Year Spiders Eat Millions of Tons of Food More Than Humans
Spiders not only eat more meat than humans every year, they also spend a lot of time getting eaten themselves.
Spiders May Go Extinct From Oversharing
Sharing's generally regarded as a desirable behavior among humans. But for some social spiders, it can be the death of them.
Sometimes Spiders Go Vegetarian, Scientists Find
A new study documents worldwide instances of arachnids turning to plants and vegetation for nutrition and sustenance.
Newly Discovered Trap-Jaw Spider Captures Prey With Astonishing Speed
Researchers had to use special high-speed cameras recording at up to 40,000 fps to even witness the 'lightning speed' chelicerae jaw structures snapping shut.
Tiny Spider Lover Waves Hello When He Wants to Mate
An oar-shaped protrusion of microscopic hairs on the legs of a grain-sized spider is bringing sexy back to the arachnid kingdom.
Shakira's Moves, David Bowie's Haircut Inspire Insect Names
Publicity ploy or not, many surprising folks have insects named after them.
The Four Most Terrifying Words: Enormous Communal Spider Webs
A million spiders cooperating to spin a web the size of a parking lot? It’s not just a B-movie plot; it’s happening right now.
10 Myths About Spiders
We think we know all about spiders — they spin webs to trap prey; if they bite you, you might die. And if you find one in your house, you should set it free. But what if all these beliefs are a web of lies?
Do we really swallow spiders in our sleep?
Worried about creepy crawlies entering your mouth while you sleep? Relax -- spiders have no interest in being eaten.
Do daddy longlegs really have powerful venom?
With its long legs and goofy way of motoring about, the daddy longlegs generally doesn't top lists of the scariest spiders. But should it? After all, if legends are to be believed, it's one of the most poisonous spiders of all.
Do black widows eat their mates?
It's good to be a little skeptical sometimes. Otherwise, we might believe the moon really is made of cheese or that the world is going to run out of bananas soon. So when people say female black widows eat their mates, we're not biting.
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