Hämähäkit

Hämähäkit, scientifically classified under the order Araneae, are a diverse group of arthropods characterized by their eight legs and the ability to produce silk. They are found in almost every terrestrial habitat across the globe, with the exception of Antarctica. Spiders vary significantly in size, from minute species less than a millimeter long to large tarantulas with leg spans exceeding 30 centimeters.

The defining feature of spiders is their silk production, originating from spinnerets located at the rear of their abdomen. This silk is used for a variety of purposes, including constructing webs to catch prey, creating egg sacs for reproduction, lining burrows, and even as draglines for safety. While many spiders are renowned for their intricate webs, not all species build them; some are active hunters that stalk their prey.

Spiders are predators, with their diet consisting primarily of insects and other small invertebrates. They capture prey either by trapping them in webs or by actively pursuing and subduing them. Most spiders possess venom, which they use to paralyze or kill their prey. While the venom of most spider species is not harmful to humans, a few can cause significant medical issues.

Reproduction in spiders typically involves courtship rituals, after which the male deposits sperm into specialized structures on his pedipalps, which are then transferred to the female. The female lays her fertilized eggs in a silken sac, which she may carry or guard until hatching. Spiderlings are miniature versions of the adults and often disperse shortly after emerging from the egg sac.