ragni

Ragni is the Italian term for spiders, the plural form of ragno. In Italian, ragni refers to members of the order Araneae, a group of eight‑legged arachnids distinct from insects. Spiders vary widely in size, shape, and behavior, but share key features: two main body segments, eight legs, pedipalps near the mouth, and the ability to produce silk from spinnerets. Silk serves many purposes, including prey capture, shelter, egg protection, and dispersal.

Most spiders feed by injecting venom through fangs to liquefy the prey's tissues and then consuming the resulting fluid. They occupy nearly every habitat including forests, fields, deserts, and human dwellings. Globally, there are tens of thousands of described species, displaying diverse hunting strategies. Some spin elaborate orb webs to catch flying insects; others actively hunt or ambush prey. Silk is a remarkable material, strong relative to its thickness and used for various purposes.

Spiders play a key ecological role as predators of many insect species, contributing to pest control and food web dynamics. They are generally shy and avoid human contact; bites to people are uncommon and usually not dangerous in most regions, though a few species can cause medical problems.

In everyday language, ragni is used to refer to spiders in general. The term is also encountered in literature and folklore about spiders in Italian-speaking regions.