Spiderlings

Spiderlings are juvenile spiders that emerge from eggs laid by a female spider. After hatching, they are often called spiderlings or slings, and they typically resemble smaller versions of adults though they may differ in coloration and proportions. In many species the young spend the first days or weeks in the protection of an egg sac or cluster, then disperse to find food.

Dispersal and growth: Spiderlings grow by molting, shedding their exoskeletons multiple times before reaching sexual maturity. Many species adopt ballooning to move through the air by releasing silk threads and letting wind currents carry them to new habitats; others stay near the maternal site for a while. They feed on small insects and other arthropods; their diet depends on availability and size.

Reproduction and survival: The egg sac can contain hundreds or thousands of eggs. In some species, females guard the sac and may protect the young for a period; in others, parental care is minimal. Mortality among spiderlings is high; predation, environmental conditions, and competition for food all limit survival rates. Those that survive molt into adults and, depending on species, reach reproduction-ready age after several molts.

In ecology and human contexts: Spiderlings contribute to pest control by preying on insects. In hobby culture, particularly with tarantulas, young spiders are commonly called slings or spiderlings. They illustrate the wide diversity of spiders, from tiny ground-dwellers to large arboreal species, and can live for years in captivity or in the wild, with life spans varying widely among species.