For many people, arachnids represent a very dangerous species from which they must escape. In fact, the fear of spiders is very common, but This does not imply that it is an animal that by nature harms humans. If you are afraid of spiders, you will be interested in knowing these fascinating curiosities, so that you know them better and understand that it is very unlikely that your encounter with a spider will be a mortal danger. Rather, they are the ones who should be afraid of you, don’t you think? Without further ado, join us at to learn the best curious facts about spiders!
10 curiosities about spiders that you should know
Spiders are an animal that can be called many things, but none of them are simple. Indeed, They are a unique species in nature due to the capabilities they have. The best known is the durability and resistance of its tissues, with which it can trap and wrap its prey. However, there are many more curious facts about spiders that you don’t know.
1. Its venom is being studied to treat erectile dysfunction
Viagra is now in the past. Now, spider venom is what can help treat the dreaded erectile dysfunction. Although it is still in the research phase, the results are promising and, perhaps, they could avoid the side effects of drugs like Viagra or Cialis.
In relation to this, there is a Brazilian spider known as Phoneutria Nigriventerwhose bite causes a strange reaction: an erection. Although it may be funny, the truth is that this reaction is anything but pleasant and it’s possible extend for several hours.
If this curiosity has caught your attention, you might want to read this entry: animal poisons that heal.
2. They turn their prey into liquid
Another curious fact about spiders is that they They can only digest liquids, in no case can they swallow solids. For this reason, spiders have an external digestion system in which, after crushing their prey, They impregnate it with a kind of gastric juice that allows it to be processed much easier.
3. Cobwebs and music
Among the curious facts about spiders, this one will fascinate music connoisseurs, especially those whose instrument is the violin. It turns out that one of the curiosities of spiders is that some spider webs are used to make their ropes. Its threads have even been used for clothing manufacture thanks to its versatility.
With this, it is clear to us the resistance that spider webs can achieve. Of course, for each string Not just one strand of spider web works, but several must be joined together.
4. Lazy spiders
In principle, spiders feed on prey that gets trapped in their own webs. But it’s not always like this! Lazy or gluttonous spiders often They feed on prey that has been trapped in other people’s webs.
5. The long-legged spider, cannibal!
There is a species of spider known as the long-legged or Pholcus phalangioides. Its legs allow it to attack and catch its prey while keeping its body far away and safe. This is the same thing that happens with the curious pelican spiders, whose limbs allow them to attack without taking risks.
It is a cannibalistic spider that eats others and that, in addition, it keeps its babies in its mouth until they mature! This is really scary…
Now, at this point it should be noted that, on the contrary, there is only one herbivorous spider in the world. It is the jumping spider of Central America and Mexico. The rest of the spiders in the world tend to be carnivorous and feed on insects through a hunting system.
6. One of the curiosities of spiders is that they are everywhere.
Just like cockroaches, Arachnids have the ability to resist any type of adversity in their environment. Neither the climate nor a very small space are capable of preventing them from proliferating in the finest places in your house.
There are many spiders, Specifically, there are around 42,000 species and 110 families., which vary especially in their body type and ability to withstand adverse circumstances. That’s why there are arachnids literally all over the world, even in Antarctica.
7. Fear of spiders
Arachnophobia, or the irrational fear of spiders, is one of the most common phobias in the world, causing panic in a large part of the population. Specifically, it is said that around 50% of women and 16% of men are affected by this fear in particular. Do you experience it too?
Luckily, it is a phobia that can be treated and, in some cases, completely overcome depending on how it is faced. This was discovered thanks to several scientists from the University of São Paulo who managed to reduce fear of spiders in a group of patients through image treatment.
8. They used to be huge
Nowadays, spiders measure a few centimeters (thank goodness), which allows us to get rid of them easily. However it was not always so. In prehistory, There is data that some species of arachnids could measure up to 50 centimeters.
Luckily, thanks to evolution, their size has decreased considerably, to the point that they can become imperceptible. Currently, the Goliath tarantula is the largest spider in existence, with a size that can reach 30 cm, with its legs extended.
9. Curiosities about amazing spiders: they are stronger than steel
Another curious fact about spiders is the great resistance of their web. In that sense, if they were the same thickness as steel, the spider thread would be much more robust.
It is believed that a strand of spider web, with the same diameter as a pencil, can be capable of stopping a Boeing 747 plane in full flight. However, it is not the only thing that stands out about its characteristics, since versatility is an aspect that impresses scientists. Indeed, A spider web has the ability to stretch more than 20 times its original size without breaking.
Another study found that the spider web It increases its resistance and hardness when it comes into contact with water. This condition led to it being considered an object of study for the development of glues and adhesives in underwater engineering and even in surgeries.
10. They can be deadly
Although they are mostly harmless species, it does not take away from the fact that there are some spiders in particular that can be deadly. In that sense, The Atrax species from Australia turns out to be one of the most dangerous Australian animals. Then pthat is, the strongest bite in the world, in which its fangs are capable of passing through a shoe without much problem.
Added to this is its venom, which has the capacity to kill a man if he does not receive treatment in less than an hour.
In short, all these curiosities about spiders help us to know that they are a species that lives peacefully, without disturbing people. Well, mostly. It is best not to disturb them, unless they pose a danger to you or your family at some point. If you want to know more about arachnids, you can see some of the myths about spiders. Share in the comments if you are afraid of them or if you know any other information about them. We read you!
Curious spiders that you should know
If you have been left wanting to know more about spiders and their curiosities, we share this brief selection with different types of spiders that you probably did not know about.