I’m a Spider

I have 8 legs and I crawl when I explore my surroundings.

I live by myself as nature designed.

I don’t live in a colony like ants and bees.

There are rare instances where a species of spiders do live in a colony to protect their young as well as the community of spiders.

Some spiders are extremely tiny, the Samoan moss spider measures 0.01 of an inch which is barely visible to the naked eye and the largest, the Goliath birdeater spider can measure as much as 5 inches in body length.

That means the Goliath birdeater spider is 500 times larger than the Samoan moss spider. That difference in size between the two is hard to picture in your mind.

It just goes to show you that all spiders do vary in size significantly.

The larger spiders are tarantulas and they are scary because they’re so big compared to the smaller spiders we’re used to seeing.

Children always wonder how spiders spin their web and the answer is that spiders produce silk from a gland which is the basis for constructing their web which must be both strong and sticky and this is how they trap insects for their food.

Spiders also protect their eggs in sacs they construct with the silk they produce.

There are some species of spiders that don’t construct webs at all though most do.

Spiders aren’t usually social unless they’re mating but generally they live solitary lives.

Sadly after mating or during the male spider dies shortly after.

That’s a common occurrence in the insect world.

There are over 40, 000 species of spiders so you can imagine how many spiders roam around the world.

Spiders live in all types of terrains but thrive mostly in rainforests and marshes.

You can also find a spider in your backyard or in your window sill with their web.

Spiders have binocular vision and full color perception and can see in the dark which is how their successful in catching their prey.

Spiders need water to survive and must avail themselves of proper sources where water is available.

Spiders are always evaluating their safety and scope out locations where they can ensure their safety.

Some spiders live in streams and waterways too and are very good swimmers.

Kids love to watch spiders and one of their favorite stories is Charlotte’s Web which is a wonderful book that focuses on a spider and her friend and it attracts their attention and provides them a wonderful learning experience.

Spiders are friendly if you’re friendly to them and if you’re observing them please exercise care.

I am small in size and I’m good at spinning a web and protecting myself while searching for food and watching over my young because I’m a spider.