Zurich, Switzerland – As September brings cooler nights, spiders are increasingly seeking warm, sheltered spaces, leading to more encounters with humans. Despite their fearsome reputation, most spiders are harmless and play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.

Spiders consume hundreds of millions of tons of insects each year and produce silk that is five times stronger than steel of the same thickness, demonstrating their ecological and scientific importance.

There are over 53,000 known spider species worldwide, with around 1,000 living in Switzerland. Unlike insects, spiders have eight legs and are nearly all predators, using a variety of hunting methods.

The Madagascar silk spider builds large, wheel-shaped webs up to two meters wide, paralyzing prey with neurotoxins. The whip spider hunts actively, striking prey with lightning speed using specialized sensory legs and strong tentacles.

Whip spiders grow slowly, reaching sexual maturity around two years of age, and care intensively for their young, carrying eggs and hatchlings until their first molt.

These eight-legged creatures highlight the hidden diversity of life, from intricate webs to active hunting strategies, offering a fascinating glimpse into animals often dismissed with fear or disgust.

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