Do Spiders Have Blood?
WouterOne of the most common questions about spiders is, “Do they have blood?” Spiders have a circulatory system, but it is not similar to that of humans. Rather, it is a fluid called hemolymph.
The hemolymph in a spider has a special substance called hemocyanin. This substance is a mixture of copper and oxygen. It is a form of protein that transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, and waste products through the body.
Hemolymph is a vital part of the spider’s anatomy. Although there is no actual blood, it is similar to the red and blue blood cells in humans.
When a spider is moved, the muscles contract, causing the liquid to move through the body. Hemolymph then fills the cavities in the body. In addition to supplying nutrients and chemicals, it also helps the body to regulate organs and tissues.
Hemolymph contains immune defense cells that are used to fight infections. It also helps heal wounds. Unlike humans, however, spiders do not wee or lay eggs. They do, however, make non-sticky silk strands that prevent them from getting stuck.
The heart of a spider is a single-chambered tubular structure. It looks more like a muscular tube. There are valves to keep the flow of hemolymph in the same direction.
A spider’s trachea is also a respiratory organ. It is a long, thin tube extending from a larger trunk. Most spiders have one or two book lungs, which serve as their main respiratory organ.
