Spiders. Some people despise them, others just hate them. Let’s face it spiders don’t get a lot of love in this world. Although they can be fantastic for ridding homes of unwanted houseflies they can be seen as a little bit creepy at times too. If you would like to know some more facts about spiders that really show their creepy side, read on:
1. Spiders can’t handle their solids
That’s right spiders can’t digest solid foods. They have to inject a liquid into their prey to be able to eat it. The liquid melts the organs inside their food and makes it easier to eat. One word. Yuck.
2. Spiders don’t have blood
Blood is technically known as Haemoglobin, it contains iron and is that bright red color we know so well from nose bleeds and horror movies. Spiders have something different called Hemolymph. It is copper not iron-based and is actually transparent. Although when it mixes with oxygen it shows a blue color.
3. Spiders can control their blood pressure.
As superpowers go this one sounds pretty useless but hold on, this is something that spiderman would be interested in. While we have no reason to control our blood pressure (although for some of us who have blood pressure that is too high we would love to) Spiders use this control to spring their legs outward and jump.
4. Spiders have no bones
Actually, it would be a bit creepier if they had bones I think. Imagine smashing a spider and having to clean up the remaining bones. No thanks. Spiders and other insects rely on a hard exoskeleton instead of a bone structure.
5. Spiders eat webs
If you leave an old spider web up for too long, a spider will eat it for nutrients and build a new one.
6. Spiders are not stuck on land
There is evidence that one spider has adapted to live in the water. The Diving Bell spider uses the hairs on its body to trap tiny bubbles of air.
7. Antarctica is spiderless
If you really hate spiders then there is one place that is safe to go.
8. Not all spiders are meat eaters
One spider has been found to be vegetarian at least. Although even that spider was found to have the occasional cheat meal on some ant larvae. Yummy.
There you have it. Eight creepy spider facts. Tell us why you find spiders so creepy.
