Have you ever heard of a Peacock Spider? These little arachnids are members of the 'Maratus' genus, and are not just your everyday spider. There are around 108 species known so far, but the vast majority have only recently been discovered and described in the last decade.The … [Read more...]
Arachnids
The arachnids (class Arachnida) are an arthropod group that includes spiders, daddy longlegs, scorpions, mites, and ticks as well as lesser-known subgroups.
There are more than 40,000 species of arachnids in the world.
Arachnids include:
- spiders
- scorpions
- ticks
- mites
While they may seem scary to some people, arachnids play an important role in the ecosystem. They help control the populations of other organisms by preying on them. In this blog post, we will discuss what arachnids are, their characteristics, and some interesting facts about them!
Arachnids are a type of invertebrate animal. Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone or spinal column. This includes animals such as insects, crabs, and worms.
Arachnids are classified into three main groups: the Acari (which includes mites and ticks), scorpiones (scorpions), and the Araneae (which include spiders).
Arachnids are found all over the world.
Arachnids have four pairs of legs. They also have two main body parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen. The cephalothorax is fused with the head, and it houses the arachnid's eyes, mouthparts, and legs. The abdomen is where the arachnid's reproductive organs are located. Arachnids do not have wings, but some can fly by using special structures on their bodies that act as parachutes.
Arachnids are predators. They typically hunt small insects, but some larger species of arachnids can prey on vertebrates such as lizards and rodents.
Did you know?
Nearly all spiders are venomous which they can use to kill or subdue their prey. They inject the venom through hollow fangs.
Arachnids are not dangerous to humans unless they are provoked. However, if you attempt to kill or capture an arachnid, it may defend itself by biting or stinging you.
While the venom of most arachnids is not harmful to humans, there are a few species that can cause serious health problems.
These include the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider.
If you are bitten by one of these spiders, seek medical attention immediately.
Banana Spiders – An Exploration of The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver
There are a few different arachnids that go by the name 'Banana Spider'. I will mention the other pretenders at the end of this post, but for clarity, this post is about the magnificent Golden Silk Orb-Weavers.The golden silk orb-weavers (scientifically known as the genus … [Read more...]
Camel Spider
Sun spiders range from about 0.4 to 2 in. in length and are generally uniform in color. They are usually yellow, brown or black, though a few species have patterns. The solpugids are hairy and have spider-like features. They have two closely placed median eyes and eight legs. … [Read more...]
Hobo Spider
Hobo SpiderThe Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis) is a member of the genus of spiders known as funnel web spiders.The Hobo Spider is one of a small number of spiders in North America whose bites are generally considered to be medically significant.Hobo Spider … [Read more...]
Huntsman Spider
The Huntsman Spider is a common name given to the family 'Sparassidae'. The larger specimens of these spiders are called 'Wood Spiders' in most parts of Australia, due to their common preference for inhabiting woody places. Huntsman Spiders are a diverse and relatively harmless … [Read more...]
Katipo Spider
Katipo SpiderThe Katipo or Red Katipo Spider (Latrodectus katipo) is a vulnerable, venomous spider native to New Zealand. The Katipo Spider is a widow spider and is related to the black katipo, the Australian red-back spider and the black widow spiders. The Katipo spider is … [Read more...]
Mouse Spider
Mouse Spiders are spiders of the genus Missulena. There are 11 known species in this genus, all but one of which are widespread across mainland Australia. Mouse Spiders can be found in both coastal and drier habitats, however, they do not occur in tropical rainforests. One … [Read more...]
Orb Weaver Spiders
Orb Weaver Spiders This family of spiders is a very large one and includes over 2800 species in over 160 genera worldwide, making it the third largest family of spiders known behind the jumping spider family (Salticidae) and the second largest family of spiders called Linyphiidae … [Read more...]
Red Back Jumping Spiders
The Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is a potentially dangerous spider native to Australia. The Redback Spider resembles a Black widow spider. The Redback Spider is a member of the genus Latrodectus or the widow family of spiders, which are found throughout the world. They … [Read more...]
Six Eyed Sand Spider
The Six Eyed Sand Spider (Sicarius hahni) is a medium-sized spider found in deserts and other sandy places in southern Africa. It is a member of the Sicariidae family and close relatives of this spider are sometimes found in both Africa and in South America. Its nearest relatives … [Read more...]