The spider is the most common and varied of all the land predators. Spiders
are found on all continents except Antarctica. They have even been found at elevations
as high as 16,400 feet (5,000 meters) in the Himalayan ranges. Some spiders, being
poisonous are dangerous where as some are not.
Spiders range in body length
from 0.02 to 3.5 inches (0.5 to about 90 millimeters). Their size varies according
to species. They also vary in color from dull grays, browns and blacks to bright
reds, yellows and greens. Unlike insects, spiders have no antennae. Spiders usually
have eight eyes and four pair legs. Spiders are the predators that eat various
other animals usually smaller than themselves.
Their diet includes common
prey include crickets, flies, bees, grasshoppers, moths and butterflies. They
will build their nests usually near where insects will fly, like near flowers
or moist areas. Some spiders make their nests near to the grounds to catch walking
insects. Spiders are the only animals that digest their food internally or externally
their bodies.
Spiders are capable of digesting their own silk, so some
spiders may eat their used webs. Their bite may cause pain but in most cases venomous
spiders are harmful.
