By Francesco Tomasinelli

Aggiornamento 12/03/2007

Spiders belong to the class Arachnida, together with scorpions, acari and other minor groups. They are the most diverse and exciting group of this class, with more than 35.000 species. They can produce surprising materials like the web, stronger than steel and lightweight. They are able to dive underwater, jump and fly, using silk like a parachute. They developed various poisons to hunt and defend themselves, but just a few of them are dangerous to humans. Some of them have surprising parental care behaviours and are even capable to remember simple experiences. But, most important of all, they are the supreme predators of the undergrowth. Different species can capture everything, from tiny insects to small birds. They are the most important and natural mean of controlling insects populations, including serious pests, like roaches and mosquitos. And they have such an impact because they live almost everywhere, from dark caves underground to the highest mountains. Wherever you live, you are always close to a spider.

See other spiders photo stories here, on www.isopoda.net:
The European tarantula, fact and fiction behind the "tarantella" and deadly spiders myths
Much feared spiders, an overview of the most dangerous species in Europe
Survival of the fittest, surprising pictures of invertebrates (including spiders) eating vertebrates
Cave life, a look a biospeleology, with particularly adapted underground spiders
The spider and the frog, an amazing mutualistic relationship from the Peruvian rainforest
Other unusual spiders photo stories on "Strange but true" section.