Creepy Crawlies

Why are spiders not considered insects?

Spiders are eight-legged creatures, well-known for their silk webs. They are found all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. There are about 40,000 different species of spiders, and all of them produce silk. Silk starts off as a liquid, but hardens upon contact with air.

Most spiders are nearsighted and cannot clearly see distant objects. Their other senses, like touch, compensate for their poor vision. Interestingly, spiders are not technically considered insects, since they have eight legs and do not have antennae. Instead, they belong to the arachnid family, which also includes scorpions and ticks.