Arachnids
The largest, the smallest, and the deadliest!
What makes an organism an arachnid?
An organism is classified as an arachnid if it meets these requirements:
>Have eight legs.
>Do NOT have antennae.
>Bodies have TWO segments called the cephalothorax (frontside), and the abdomen (backside).
>Do NOT have wings.
>Have to lay eggs.
>Have a carnivorous diet, but there are some exceptions of omnivorous diets.
>Have bilateral symmetry.
These are the largest, the smallest, and the deadliest arachnids in the world!
Goliath Bird-eating Spider
This arachnids has eaten humming birds before! That tarantula is HUGE! In fact, it's the largest arachnid in the world! It's bigger than a full grown human's hand! Fortunately, it's not as hostile as it looks, at least if it is not teased to the point of fighting.Thins of a small puppy about 11-12 inches. That's the size the Goliath Bird-eating Spider!
Mite Spider
These arachnids are the smallest in the world! Even if you look at the penny in the picture, you still can't see him! He makes Mission Impossible look easy! Most species are considered pests for gardens, but their red bodies may not be stealthy enough for Ethan Hunt and the rest of the team.
Sydney Funnel-web Spider
This is the most venomous arachnid in the world! It boasts a venom so toxic, that only 0.2 mg/kg is far beyond lethal for primates! That includes humans, too. Its venom can kill a human in hours! The females are less dangerous than the males as the females' venom is four to six times less effective than the males' venom. But be wary! These guys are dirty fighters, so if you want a clean fight that has no chance of death, don't fight a Sydney Funnel-web Spider!
"Do people really eat them"?
Yes, it's disgusting to think of, but it's true. People do eat the Goliath Bird-eating Spider.
Colors and shapes of mite spiders vary.
Mite Spiders can be larger or smaller, red, orange, black, and sometimes, you can see through them... sort of.
Where are the Sydney Funnel-web Spiders found?
The Sydney Funnel-web Spider is primarily found in Australia. Hence the name, Sydney.
Sources of information:
Goliath Bird Eating Spider:
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/tarantula_goliath
Mite Spider:
http://www.igc.gulbenkian.pt/media/article/87
Sydney Funnel-web Spider:
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-venomous-spider