DESCRIPTION
Spiders belong to a wider group of arthropods knows as arachnids (any creature that has eight legs). This group includes other cuddly specimens such as mites, ticks and scorpions. But, spiders have some characteristics that are unique to them. For example, spiders have two major body parts – a cephalothorax and an abdomen.
Spiders come in two basic forms – the hunters (like the little jumping spider on the right) and the weavers (that spin webs to catch prey).
Even though all spiders are poisonous, very few are dangerous to humans. Only two dangerous ones are found in the US: the black widow, which is found mainly in the southwest, and the brown recluse, which is found over a much wider area.
|
