Not all spider venoms are created equal. Some are harmless to people, while others can be quite dangerous.
Articles on Arachnids
Displaying 1 - 20 of 23 articles
7 distinct types of silk allow different spider species to build webs with various jobs – including to catch prey, tether themselves and protect their eggs.
An expert on why spiders are misunderstood and their fascinating survival strategies.
James O'Hanlon’s easy and humorous style makes Silk and Venom a readily digestible and satisfying meal for anyone with an interest in the natural world.
The surprising parallel between spider silk spinning and fibres toxic to humans could lead to new clues about how to fight neurodegenerative disorders.
Once confined to the Canary Islands, noble false widow spiders are casting their web worldwide.
This new exhibition at Hobart’s Mona captures Tomás Saraceno’s collaborations with research institutes.
Invertebrates are the most abundant animals on our planet – and the vast majority are nothing to be afraid of, despite their appearances.
These fascinating spiders only live for about a year and have particularly interesting family arrangements.
To many people, Australia’s spider diversity is a source of fear. To arachnologists, it’s a goldmine, with most Australian spider species still yet to be discovered.
Venom, size, and speed: these are the factors that determine which ambush predator will emerge victorious. So let’s look at the strengths of each arachnid.
An Italian study revealed how a murder mystery novel and a medical rarity were used to whip up media hysteria about spiders.
There is little to fear and lots to love about spiders, which have not killed anyone in Australia for 40 years.
Don’t be afraid of spiders – be afraid for spiders
Our fear of spiders is driven by a lack of information, but these fascinating creatures are often more harmless than harmful.
Brazil’s scorpion infestation, which is terrorizing residents of São Paulo and other major cities, is a classic ‘wicked problem.’ That means officials must think outside-the-box to fix it.
Believe it or not, I have studied the hairy legs of spiders for years and can give you some definitive answers on this.
Autumn is spider season. It’s worth getting to know more about our eight-legged friends.
Why you should consider a live-and-let-live policy with the spiders you encounter in your home.
Some spiders produce silk than can actually be stronger than steel and 50 times as light.
Top contributors
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland
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Extension Associate in Entomology, North Carolina State University
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Director, Glowpear, Board member, ISDRS, Vice President, AHA and Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design, RMIT University
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Professor & NSERC-Industrial Research Chair in Multimodal Animal Comminication Ecology, Simon Fraser University
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Researcher in Complex Social Problems, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
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PhD student, Simon Fraser University
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Lecturer in Fine Art, Loughborough University
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Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow in Ecology and Entomology, Edith Cowan University
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Director of the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO
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Research Fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University
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Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Genetics, University of Nottingham
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Researcher, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet
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Associate Professor in Entomology, University of Sydney
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Venom Systems Lab, University of Galway
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Senior lecturer, School of Creative Arts & Media, University of Tasmania