Super Spooky Spiders

During the Middle Ages, people believed that spiders assisted witches in casting spells. Spiders are also thought to be mythical creatures who are storytellers and oracles due to their web-making abilities. If you see a spider on Halloween, legend has it that it's the spirit of a dead loved one watching over you.

What are spiders?

Spiders are arachnids that are as diverse as they are fascinating. Have you ever heard of spiders that live in groups? What about vegetarian spiders? All spiders produce silk, have eight legs, and have two main body parts.

Are spiders dangerous?

Most spiders are shy, nocturnal, have poor vision, and live in dark moist places. Although many people (such as my friend Charlotte) are afraid of spiders, spiders are more afraid of us than we are of them. The only type of spider in Canada that could potentially harm a person is the widow—they are rare around here and their bites are rarely fatal. Spiders just want to be left alone, and they don't deserve the bad reputation we've given them.

Where do spiders live?

Spiders live on every continent except Antarctica, and they live in almost every habitat. You'll find spiders in deserts, jungles, grasslands, forests, swamps, backyards, and the diving bell spider (left) even lives almost entirely underwater! The only habitats spiders don't live in are polar regions, the tops of mountains and in the ocean (though some spiders have ventured to the ocean's edge). Spiders live anywhere they can get food, water, and shelter.

What do spiders eat?

Most spiders are exclusively carnivores, feasting on small bugs and insects. For some, the menu includes larger animals like birds, frogs, and lizards. One spider out of over 40 000 species is (mostly) vegetarian. The Bagheera kiplingi (right) is a special species of jumping spider that feeds off of leaves and nectar from acacia trees.

How do spiders hunt?

Spiders are perhaps most well known for their iconic webs that they use to catch prey. All spiders produce silk, but in fact, only about half of them make webs. Some spiders spend their time lying in wait for prey to wander by. Trapdoor spiders create special in-ground "trapdoors" made of plants, soil, and silk. They spend most of their life in their burrow, and they catch prey by quickly emerging from the trapdoor and pulling an unsuspecting insect under. Some spiders (such as wolf spiders and tarantulas) chase down their prey. Jumping spiders prefer to leap on their prey from afar.

Do spiders take care of their young?

In one word, yes! At the very least, all spiders create some sort of protection for their eggs. Many spiders make nests for their eggs, others carry their eggs around. Wolf spiders carry their egg sacs on their back (right), and once the eggs hatch the spiderlings continue to catch a ride until they're fully developed. A few spiders (such as jumping spiders) even feed and protect their spiderlings for a while after they hatch!

Do spiders live in groups?

The vast majority of spiders are solitary, however, there are a few species of "social" spiders. Social spiders live colonies that can range anywhere from a few dozen spiders to thousands of spiders. They share childcare duties, hunt in groups to catch and share larger prey, and help make repairs on their communal web. Unlike ants or bees, spiders share tasks and resources evenly— there is no 'queen' spider.

Can spiders see?

Despite usually having eight eyes, most spiders don't have good eyesight. Most can only tell if it's light or dark out, and they rely heavily on vibrations, touch, taste, and smell. Although most spiders have poor vision, this is not the end of the story. Jumping spiders (right) have great vision. Their two front eyes see the world in superb detail, with colour vision greater than our own, but in a very limited spotlight. Their side eyes see the world with less detail and only in black and white, but these eyes give them almost 360° of vision. Good luck sneaking up on a jumping spider! If their side eyes notice anything of interest, they quickly spin around to face it. Their vision allows them to judge the exact distance they need to jump in order to land on their prey when hunting, and it allows females to observe the males' impressive dances.

What animals do you associate with Halloween? Let me know in the comments below!