How Do Spiders Get Bigger?
WouterSpiders are enormous creatures. Unlike other animals, they don’t have an internal skeleton covered with flesh. Instead, their exoskeleton is made up of layers of cuticle, which is a protein that keeps the body from drying out.
The first spiders evolved 400 million years ago. Their size at that time was much larger than it is today. This is known as sexual size dimorphism.
Most of the large spiders from 400 million years ago lived underground. They had an active hunting strategy. They would ambush prey and kill them with venom. This method of hunting is similar to what some of the largest spiders in the world do today.
Some of the largest spiders have been found eating small vertebrates, like worms and mice. Others have eaten birds and lizards. They also consume earthworms. A few species live on the surface of water and some are distributed throughout the globe.
One of the largest spiders in the world is the Goliath bird-eater. It is a type of tarantula. It is the world’s largest spider by mass.
The tarantula is a venomous ambush predator. It can weigh up to six ounces and can be found in the South American rainforests. It has a leg span of up to ten inches. It does not make webs to trap its prey. It is often seen under rocks and other debris.
It is sometimes used as a pet. Its venom is comparable to a wasp’s sting.
