10 Things You Didn’t Know About Spiders
Think spiders are gross? So do we. Here are 10 facts that give definitive proof that they’re extra-creepy:
- There are over 35,000 different species of spiders – that we know of
Scientists suspect there are more species that have yet to be discovered.
- You are never more than 10 feet away from a spider
One million spiders can live in just one acre of land.
- Unless you’re on Antarctica
Antarctica is the only continent that spiders are not. Looking for a safe haven? Better pack your winter coat!
- A spider’s web is 5 times stronger than steel
If you took a strand of steel with the same thickness and weight, that is. Scientists have yet to re-create its strength.
- Not all spiders spin webs
Some hunt for their prey, instead of catching them with a web they’ve spun.
- Tarantulas aren’t that dangerous, but black widows and brown recluse are
Despite their intimidating appearance, tarantula venom is relatively weak when compared to black widow and brown recluse spiders. The venom of a female black widow spider has been reported to be 15 times stronger than the poison of a rattlesnake. Many people also keep tarantulas as pets!
- Male spiders charm ladies with presents
Some give dead flies to females as a token of their love.
- They eat each other
A few of them do, anyway. Some male spider species may actually force-feed themselves to the females when they mate.
- They’ve got a serious vertical
With the ability to jump up to 40 times their body length to catch prey, jumping spiders have an impressive vertical. If we could do the same, we’d be able to jump over a 21-story building.
- Some spiders look like ants
Several species have evolved to look strikingly similar to ants.