There are about 40 thousand different species of spiders in the world. They can differ significantly in size and color from each other, but the number of legs in arachnids is the same, namely 8. Although sometimes when looking at an animal it is difficult to say that it only has 4 pairs of legs, since some species have highly developed pedipalps and chelicerae.
This gives the impression that the spider has 12 legs. To finally understand this issue, let’s talk about the structural features of the animal’s paws and what function they perform.
- 2.1 Why does a spider need 8 legs?
Caribena versicolor
This resident of Martinique is very fond of arachnophiles, so he can often be found in home terrariums. The length of the spider's body with straightened legs is approximately 17 cm. The color changes from molt to molt, and by a certain age the body and legs of this tarantula acquire a rich burgundy hue, while the carapace becomes emerald green. Although this handsome guy can bite a person, he does this extremely rarely, only for the purpose of self-defense.
Argiope lobata
The spider, which in appearance resembles a squash, lives in the desert and steppe regions of southwestern Eurasia and North Africa. The size of the spider is only 1.5 cm. Its distinctive feature is the unusual structure of the abdomen with small uniform protrusions along the entire perimeter. The color of the argiope is very similar to a shell. The top of the body is covered with silvery hairs, which makes it shiny and helps to lure prey into the web. The bite of a squash spider is not dangerous for humans, but grasshoppers and other insects cannot escape its webs alive.
Reproduction methods
Davallia reproduces in several ways. Under natural conditions, it disperses spores, but in indoor conditions, rhizome division is usually used. This method is simple and effective.
The root is divided into parts so that there is always a leaf. The diameter of the pot should be small (8 cm). This section is laid on the surface of moist soil and fixed.
For rooting, it is better to create greenhouse conditions for the cuttings. To do this, place the pot in a transparent bag, but do not close it on top, so as not to provoke rotting of parts of the plant from high humidity and heat.
To create a comfortable microclimate, the plant is sprayed daily and kept at +22°...+25°. Do not forget to ventilate the greenhouse daily (remove the bag). In 30–40 days, new fronds will appear. You can transplant the plant into a permanent pot after a few months (5 – 6).
Spiny Spider
Measuring approximately 1 cm in length and 1.3 cm in width, this cute spider resembles a crab in appearance. It stands out among its relatives by the presence of 6 spines along the edges of its abdomen, which serve as protection from predators. The color of the “horns” and abdomen depends on the habitat, but in any case they are of a bright contrasting color. Spiny spiders live in many parts of the world, preferring moist forests and citrus groves.
Landing
To plant the plant, you need a shallow but wide pot with a hole in the bottom and plenty of drainage.
Davallia prefers acidic (3 – 5 pH) or slightly acidic (5 – 6 pH) loose nutrient substrates. Use ready-made soil for orchids or epiphytes. You can use a universal soil mixture and add sphagnum moss (2:1), bark, charcoal, and perlite.
When planting, the roots are not buried in the ground, but placed on the surface, slightly buried in the ground, pinning the rhizome with a paper clip or covering it with stones so that it does not tip over. Cover the rhizome with damp moss or coconut fiber.
Drainage during planting is required
Karakurt
These representatives of the black widow genus are considered one of the most poisonous spiders on the planet. They can be recognized by 13 red spots on their jet-black body. But this is not so easy to do, because the size of the spider does not exceed 3 cm. These fatal beauties live on all warm continents, so the likelihood of meeting them is quite high. This spectacular lady may not evoke the most pleasant emotions, but you cannot deny her a stylish appearance.
Brazilian spider crab
A uniquely shaped body with numerous protrusions and the ability to adapt to its surroundings help these spiders hunt insects. Their belly color is usually white, sometimes with a pinkish or blue tint. Habitat: Latin American countries. The Brazilian spider crab is best at pretending to be a tropical flower, misleading its potential prey.
Chelicerae and pedipalps
In the area of the cephalothorax, directly in front of the spider’s mouth, there are two chelicerae: these are special forelimbs that are not paws in essence, although they are very similar in appearance. Their structure suggests the presence of a rather large movable rod and a hook with venom tubules. When the spider plunges them into the victim, it is paralyzed by the toxins.
In some subspecies, whose body structure does not imply the presence of an upper jaw blade, the hook is additionally used to introduce a special juice that softens the internal organs of the caught insect for subsequent ease of digestion. Such “food” is absorbed by the spider by absorption.
Pedipalps are a kind of helper and handles for the spider. They help hold the victim during battle, and are also necessary for dragging the cocoon and other necessary items.
Blue tarantula
One of the most striking representatives of tarantulas has a rich blue color. The span of his paws can reach 17 cm. His entire body is covered with fluffy hairs, which is why he seems cute and harmless. But that's not true. The bite of this spider is quite painful and can cause unpleasant consequences. Blue tarantulas live in the southwest of India, but you can also see them in the home collections of spider lovers.
Care during the active growing season
Comfortable temperature for healthy growth of Canary dawllia and its Asian relatives in the spring-summer period is +18°...+ 22°, other species require an increase to +28°.
Care at home is carried out taking into account the individual characteristics of the flower; constant humidity should be maintained for greenhouse species, for example the Fijian dawllia, by placing it in a phytomodule. Regular spraying (2 - 3 times a day) will suit Davallia Five-leafed. Canary also tolerates less attention, which is why it is the most popular in home cultivation.
Water the flower 1 or 2 times a week with settled soft water, 2° warmer than the air temperature, after the top layer of the substrate has dried.
The fern is very fond of spraying the leaves with fertilizers made from mineral fertilizers. Take 5 grams of the complex for ferns or decorative foliage plants, dilute it in 10 liters of warm water and irrigate the leaves with this mixture. And in a dose diluted 1:4 from the declared dose, the roots are fertilized. Feed 20-30 minutes after watering.
You should not overdo it with the concentration of fertilizer, because davallia does not tolerate saline soils and waterlogging, and fertilizers are salts. With low humidity and a large amount of microelements, the substrate will quickly become salty. It is better to use foliar sprays more often.
Do not forget about the timely removal of fronds that dry out and thicken the bush, so that it is well ventilated and grows healthy.
Eight point crab spider
This unusual, like a toy, spider lives in Indonesia, on the islands of Sumatra and Java. The length of its body can reach 4 cm. It needs its bright yellow or orange coloring for camouflage during hunting. He is capable of sitting motionless on a flower for several hours in a row, waiting for a bee and another unlucky insect, which, due to the deceptive appearance of the spider, does not see it as a threat.
Kipling's Bagheera
Everything about this spider is unique. In addition to his beautiful appearance, he stands out for his ability to build nests for himself and his fellow tribesmen. A small group moves into such a house and establishes a common life. In particular, males are involved in the process of caring for little “heirs”. In addition, Kipling's Bagheera is the only known vegetarian spider. Most of its diet consists of shoots of shares leaves. But as an exception, in unfavorable weather conditions, he can also feast on his relatives. Herbivorous spiders live in Central America.
Green jumping spider
This handsome guy looks like a lollipop, only with legs. It lives in Australia and New Guinea. The size of the spider can reach 1 cm. The body has a bright green or yellowish color. The anterior head region, where the eyes and chelicerae are located, may be of a different color, most often brown and white. Mopsus mormon differs from other jumping spiders in its intricate tactics of attracting a mate. The movements and body postures of the male during the mating dance vary depending on which female he is performing this ritual for. It is also important whether the spider dances outside or inside the nest.
Leg structure
The predator moves with the help of 8 walking legs attached to the cephalothorax.
Each leg consists of 7 parts or segments:
- Plow (basin).
- Trochanter.
- Hip.
- Cup.
- Shin.
- Forefoot.
- Paw.
The latter is equipped with jagged or smooth claws. Sometimes an unpaired short claw is observed between them. The longest pairs of walking legs are the first and fourth, and the maximum length of the limbs in individual representatives of the order of arthropods is 35 centimeters.
Two more pairs of limbs are attached to the head of the cephalothorax: pedipalps and chelicerae. The structure of the former is similar to the description above. The only difference is that the pedipalps do not have a pretarsus, and the tarsus of males that have reached the age of puberty is transformed into a cymbium - a copulatory apparatus involved in reproduction. Chelicerae are peculiar claw-like jaws.
Black Eresus
These spiders have an unusual black and red color and look like ladybugs. They grow to a maximum length of 2 cm. The body of spiders has a rich black color, and there are 4 black dots on the red abdomen, which gives them a resemblance to the famous insect. But only males who are ready to mate have such a striking appearance. Females are usually completely black with a brown spot in the eye area. The entire body of Eresus is covered with hairs, which makes it seem velvety, and you just want to stroke it. But it is better not to do this, since the spider has an aggressive character and can bite very painfully. You can meet these handsome guys in many European countries.
Celebrities who love the "bug legs" trend on eyelashes
Kim Kardashian is a fan of the “spider legs” eyelash trend. She applies false eyelashes and applies many layers of mascara to them, painting thickly on the upper and lower lashes. Her “fan-like” look attracts cameras and the gaze of fans. Besides, Kim is imitated, not judged.
Kim Kardashian
American singer Kesha prefers multi-layered make-up to light and natural ones. She likes artificial eyelashes, painted theatrically and provocatively. She doesn't consider it a makeup mistake, and is even proud of her highlight.
Kesha
Model Heidi Klum knows how to apply makeup correctly, but cameras often produce pictures where her eyelashes have a strange shape. Perhaps this is a way to shock the public? Given her many years of experience in the fashion industry, Heidi simply loves to try new and bold makeup.
Heidi Klum
Peacock spider
This is another representative of the jumping spider family, living on the Australian continent. A distinctive feature of this species is the variegated color of the abdomen, with the help of which the male calls the female to mate. In order for the female to agree to such a proposal, he performs a ritual dance. To do this, the spider straightens the side scutes of its multi-colored belly, raises a pair of paws and begins to move from side to side. If the lady of the heart does not appreciate the efforts of the gentleman, he risks being eaten.
