Why Do Spiders Raise Their Legs?
WouterWhen you first see spiders, they might seem odd. They’re shy and not very fast movers. However, they have developed mechanisms to protect themselves. These are called defensive postures. These postures are not only meant to intimidate others, but they can also be used for capture or to signal other spiders.
One of the most common defensive postures of spiders is the raising of their front legs. This is done in order to look larger and more intimidating. It can be a sign that the spider is about to fight with a rival.
Another type of defensive posture is the lifting of the abdomen. This posture is used to signal that the spider is in a dangerous or unsafe place. Some species of spiders even display fangs.
Female spiders have four or six spinnerets. They also have an epigynum, which is a plaque-like mating opening. This opening is protected by a layer of silk.
The heart of a spider is situated in the midline of the body. Blood vessels from the spider’s heart circulate around its body, bathing the tissues in blood. It’s possible to see the spider’s heart beating through the dorsal cuticle.
Some other defensive postures include the use of chelicerae, which are tubes filled with poison that the spider injects into its prey. Some species of spiders also wrap their prey in silk.
Some spiders also use their fangs to attack their prey. Some have folding fangs, which can be seen on mygalomorph spiders.
