SPIDERS

Resist the urge to smash this eight-legged fren.

The Reason You Shouldn’t Kill the Spiders in Your House, According to an Entomologist

Even if you don’t usually see them, spiders are in your house. And they’re paying rent, sort of.

A spider can now make red silk thanks to gene editing.

This Genetically-Engineered Spider Shoots Red Fluorescent Silk

Getting bitten by it won’t give you superpowers, as far as we know.

Meet the Darwin’s Bark Spider, Weaver of the World’s Largest Webs

The web of a Darwin’s bark spider can span 82 feet.

Gibellula pulchra is in the same genus as Gibellula attenboroughii.

Scientists Identify Fungus Turning Spiders Into “Zombies” in Northern Ireland

Researchers discovered a parasitic fungus that controls spiders‘ behavior, akin to the zombie ant fungus.

Can You Guess the Animal Phobia?

See if you can spot the names of these common (and not so common) terms for animal apprehension.

An Australian Zoo Needs Help Collecting Deadly Spiders and Their Eggs

The Australian Reptile Park is asking the public to capture the Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the most dangerous species in the world.

Why 7 Animals Became Associated With Halloween

Black cats, bats, and spiders commonly appear in people’s Halloween decorations. Here’s why.

These creepy crawlers must defend themselves from many predators, such as lizards, snakes, and birds.

Tarantulas May Have Evolved Hair to Defend Against Army Ants

A new study on tarantulas reveals surprising insights into their relationship with army ants.

Meet the Joro Spider: The ‘Flying’ Arachnid That Could Soon Invade the Northeast

The invasive Joro spider is venomous and as big as your palm, but its taste for stink bugs means it could do more good than harm.

“Itsy Bitsy Spider”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme

Early versions of the rhyme included the words ‘bloody’ and ‘blooming’—and sometimes didn’t feature a spider at all.

‘Very Bad Lies’: When Kids Believed Bubble Yum’s Secret Ingredient Was Spider Eggs

Did Bubble Yum gum really contain spider eggs? Learn about the schoolyard urban legend that threatened the success of this popular chewing gum back in the 1970s.

These spiders and their webs aren’t meant to be scary.

Why Ukrainians Hang Spider Webs on Their Christmas Trees

The Eastern European tradition is rooted in a beloved folktale often known as 'The Legend of the Christmas Spider.'

The tell-tale hourglass identifies female black widow spiders.

10 Facts About Black Widow Spiders

Black widow venom is about 15 times as potent as a rattlesnake's, yet these charismatic spiders generally aren't a threat to humans.

Internet Misinformation Is Giving Spiders a Bad Rap, Study Shows

Don’t let misguided media sources compound your arachnophobia.

A Joro spider snacking on a grasshopper.

Gigantic Joro Spiders Have Invaded Georgia—Here’s Why They Might Be Welcome Guests

Joro spiders, an invasive species in Georgia, aren’t your enemy. (Unless you’re a brown marmorated stink bug.)

Terrified of Spiders? This New AR App Can Help With Your Arachnophobia

A new augmented reality app called Phobys may be the best exposure therapy for those with arachnophobia, short of getting in a room with a real spider.

Study Finds Spiders Are Victorious in Battles Against Snakes

A recent study looked at hundreds of records of spiders killing and eating snakes—even snakes many times their size.

Who wouldn't be screaming in this situation?

Why Are Humans Afraid of Bugs?

Our ancestors may have predisposed us to fear spiders, insects, and other many-legged creatures, but there's a lot more to it.

One of the World’s Most Dangerous Spiders Could Invade Homes after Australia's Recent Rainfall

The venom of the Sydney funnel web spider can kill in as little as 15 minutes. And they might be lurking in Australian residents' shoes or laundry.

Where Do Cobwebs Come From?

The sticky spider streamers tend to appear in room corners. Here's why they hang around even after a spider has left the premises.

‘Water’ in Kansas City Woman’s Ear Turned Out to Be a Venomous Brown Recluse Spider

She woke to the sensation that water was stuck in her ear, and thankfully went right to the doctor’s office.

Thousands of Tarantulas Are Crawling Around Colorado for Mating Season

The furry, mostly harmless creatures are looking for love—and hoping their mates don’t eat them after they find it.

10 Creepy-Crawly Facts About Spiders

Whether you're an arachnophobe or an arachnophile, here are a few things you should know about our eight-legged friends.

No Venom, No Problem: This Spider Uses a Slingshot to Catch Prey

The triangle weaver spider uses its webbing to hurl itself like a spring-loaded nightmare at unsuspecting prey.