Spiders might seem a bit creepy, but they’re full of surprises! Let’s check out some of the most awesome and surprising things about these eight-legged creatures. You might even start to think they’re kind of cool!

1. Spiders aren’t insects!

Spiders are actually arachnids, not insects.

Insects have six legs, while spiders have eight!

They belong to the same family as scorpions and ticks.

Learn more about insects in Science Weekly

2. All spiders can spin silk.

Every spider can make silk which is used for lots of different things.

They spin webs to catch food, build homes, make egg sacs, and even swing from place to place like Spider-Man!

3. Some spiders jump!

Not all spiders stay in webs!

Jumping spiders are tiny spiders with great vision, and they can leap really far to catch their prey or move around.

4. Spiders eat insects.

Spiders help keep our world clean by eating pesky insects like flies, mosquitoes, and even beetles.

They’re like nature’s little pest control!

5. There are more than 45,000 kinds of spiders!

That’s right – there are over 45,000 species of spiders all around the world!

They live on every continent except Antarctica, so there’s a spider for almost every environment.

Have you heard of these?

• Jumping Spider: Known for their incredible ability to leap far distances, these spiders are small and have great eyesight.
• Tarantula: These are large, hairy spiders that are mostly harmless to humans and can live for many years.
• Wolf Spider: These spiders don’t spin webs – they chase down their prey like a wolf!
• Orb-Weaver Spider: Famous for spinning huge, beautiful circular webs to catch insects.
• Black Widow: Known for their shiny black bodies and red hourglass markings, these spiders can be dangerous, but they usually avoid people.

These are just a few examples, but there are thousands more out there, each with its own unique skills and traits!

6. Tarantulas are huge but gentle.

Tarantulas might look super scary because they’re so big, but they’re actually quite calm.

Most tarantulas are harmless to humans, and they rarely bite unless they feel threatened.

Finding this spooky? Read about bats!

7. Spiders can walk on walls.

Spiders can climb walls and even walk upside down!

They have special tiny hairs on their feet that let them stick to almost any surface. It’s like they have built-in sticky pads!

8. Spiders can have up to 8 eyes.

Most spiders have eight eyes, but they don’t always have great vision.

Some rely more on their other senses, like feeling vibrations, to catch their food.

9. Spider silk is super strong.

Spider silk is super lightweight but also really strong – stronger than steel of the same thickness!

Scientists are studying it to create things like strong ropes, parachutes, and even bulletproof vests.

10. Some spiders live underwater.

Did you know there’s a spider that lives underwater?

The Diving Bell Spider builds an air bubble web under the water’s surface, where it spends most of its life!

Spiders might seem a little spooky, but they’re amazing creatures that help make our world a better place. Whether they’re catching bugs, spinning strong webs, or jumping like tiny ninjas, spiders definitely deserve some respect!