Arachnids
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![A European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) spinning a web.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JRJQP5fZSHS7gxRu6gfivj-320-80.jpg)
Is every spiderweb unique?
By Mindy Weisberger published
How much does spiderweb construction vary between spiders?
![A Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea) strikes a threatening pose.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WWDMzqkbCMU6qidZxRFYDm-320-80.jpg)
Tarantulas conquered Earth by spreading over a supercontinent, then riding its broken pieces across the ocean
By Mindy Weisberger published
Around 120 million years ago, tarantulas first appeared on the Gondwana supercontinent in what is now the Americas, and then dispersed into Africa, Australia and India.
![Unlike most of its peacock spider cousins, newfound species Maratus nemo inhabits a wetland ecosystem.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XjWDnG7GGv7pZY5pSVhB9d-320-80.jpg)
Endearing orange-faced peacock spider looks like 'Nemo' (and dances)
By Mindy Weisberger published
An arachnologist described a new species of peacock spider after a citizen scientist discovered it in the wetlands of southern Australia.
![A Mediterranean recluse spider embalmed in water.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xgzLV9Grh8y4kVqguU6t8c-320-80.jpg)
Venomous spiders take advantage of pandemic, move into college buildings
By Rachael Rettner published
Sightings of these spiders in the university's library basement prompted staff to close the library for two days.
![A tangle-web spider (Steatoda triangulosa) captured a common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) by using the lifting technique.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Dxi34Yo7e5AmyBm6NYVPAL-320-80.jpg)
Spiders hoist big prey with silk 'pulleys' — and now scientists know how
By Mindy Weisberger published
Ingenious web construction allows tangle web spiders to lift animals too heavy for the spiders' tiny muscles to support.
![Two of the room's corners were teeming with skittering spiderlings.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y4k9oJTC277aPiibPwHXXP-320-80.jpg)
Hundreds of 'highly cannibalistic' spiders invade teen's bedroom in Australia
By Mindy Weisberger published
Extreme heat in Australia can send spiders scurrying for indoor shelter, and one family found themselves with a few hundred new roommates.
![A huntsman spider clutches its tree frog prey inside what could be a trap, constructed by the spider.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jfaPHFjZGYgXQJ8fCdqKW4-320-80.jpg)
Huntsman spiders eat tree frogs after luring them into leaf traps
By Mindy Weisberger published
Tiny frogs in Madagascar are lured to their doom by spiders' ingenious silk-stitched leaf traps.
![Great fox-spiders immobilize their prey by injecting them with venom that liquifies the internal organs of the insect.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/er4CESqYpgPi4zcSbW8iaT-320-80.jpg)
Rare wolf spider presumed extinct turns up on British military base
By Stephanie Pappas published
Britain's great fox-spider had not been seen since 1993. Turns out, it's been thriving on a military base.
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