Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Spiders

Araneae

Spiders (order Araneae ) are air-breathing arachnids with eight legs and chelicerae that end in fangs. Most species have venom glands and use venom to subdue prey. Their bodies are divided into two main regions,  the cephalothorax and abdomen, joined by a narrow stalk called the pedicel. The abdomen contains silk glands, and spiders produce silk through spinnerets (modified appendages) that extrude multiple kinds of fibers used for webs, egg sacs, prey-wrapping, and other functions. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except Antarctica and occupy nearly every terrestrial habitat, though they do not live permanently in the open ocean or in the air.

Spiders (order Araneae ) are air-breathing arachnids with eight legs and chelicerae that end in fangs. Most species have venom glands and use venom to subdue prey. Their bodies are divided into two main regions,  the cephalothorax and abdomen, joined by a narrow stalk called the pedicel. The abdomen contains silk glands, and spiders produce silk through spinnerets (modified appendages) that extrude multiple kinds of fibers used for webs, egg sacs, prey-wrapping, and other functions. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except Antarctica and occupy nearly every terrestrial habitat, though they do not live permanently in the open ocean or in the air.