Spiders
Causing one of the most common phobias, our eight-legged friends are a type of arthropod, the most abundant phylum on Earth and are found on every continent aside from Antarctica. Spiders produce silk, which the majority use to spin webs. Spiders are always very popular on news sites, probably one of the reason arachnophobia is so common. From raining spiders to beautiful peacock spiders to spiders with wings, they are animals that have fascinated us all for many years.
Thousands of tarantulas will soon emerge across the US. Here’s what to expect
For certain regions of America, things are about to get weird with an influx of tarantulas.
How can you tell if a spider is dangerous?
Remember the rhyme: Incy wincy spider climbed up the waterspout - In all likelihood, it's nothing to worry about.
Instant Genius Podcast | Spider season, with Prof Adam Hart
That time of the year has come back around. It is spider season, but why do spiders choose this time and can UK spiders hurt you? Prof Adam Hart from the University of Gloucester gives us the lowdown.
False widow spiders: How to identify them and what you need to know about these vilified critters
Are these household spiders as dangerous as national press stories would lead us to believe? In this essential guide we separate the facts from the fiction.
Funnel web spider venom may be used to prevent damage caused by heart attacks
Human clinical trials are set to begin on the drug within a year.
Reality Check | Spiders: Should I be worried about being bitten by a false widow?
A recent study has found that numbers of the venomous spiders are increasing, along with the number of people being bitten by them. But what risk do they really pose?
Genetically-modified marine bacteria able to produce synthetic spider silk
The biocompatible silk is not attacked by immune systems, making it useful for drug delivery systems, implant devices, and scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Spider silk used to create lenses for imaging human tissue
The lenses, made of spider dragline silk, could be used to create high resolution images of human tissue.
Spider-Man really could stop a train
In the 2004 film Spider-Man 2, the titular superhero uses his web to bring a runaway train to a standstill, saving the passengers from a watery death…
Eight of nature’s grooviest dancing animals
We all love a bit of a disco, but even members of the animal kingdom can't resist a bit of a boogie.
The world's most venomous animals
Bites, stings and syringe-like body parts are needed when you want to inject deadly venom into your victims – find out which animals are the ones to watch out for.