Physical Description: Arachnids have two body parts: the cephalothorax (ce fal o thor ax) which is the head and thorax combined, and the abdomen. The eyes, fangs, and eight legs are on the cephalothorax. At the tip of the abdomen are the spinnerets which spin the silk the spiders use for their webs and for traveling. The spider has venom sacs which are attached to its fangs. When it catches prey it injects the venom and then spits digestive juices on the body of its prey. Soon the prey is softened enough for the spider to actually suck it up through its mouth parts.

Habitat: gardens, forests

Niche: carnivore. The spider is an important ally to humans because they keep the insect population down.

 

Arachnid poster by Chad, Jason, Josh and Ethan

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