Where Do Spiders Live?

If you found yourself on the game show "Jeopardy!" and your clue (or answer) was "Everywhere," there's a good chance the question would be the title of this article. Spiders are one of nature's most adaptable creatures, which gives credence to their unfair reputation as one of the creepiest, crawliest, no-good scourges of the earth. But spiders are often misunderstood, and their habits are born not of a desire to give us the willies but to survive in often inhospitable conditions.

  1. Geography

    • There are only three places on Earth where you can be assured of a spider-free existence. Spiders do not live on the tops of the most enormous mountains on Earth, with frozen climates unsuitable for spiders. For much the same reasons, you will find no spiders at either pole of the Earth, for the temperatures and constant snow make for a poor environment for an arachnid to thrive. And finally, you will find no sign of spiders in the ocean--though they have taken to the beaches to build webs and homes inside rocks and driftwood. The rest of the planet can be considered the Spider Zone.

    Types

    • All spiders are arachnids, and all of them are carnivorous by nature--meaning they eat only meat. But beyond these two characteristics, there are a lot of differences in the many kinds of spiders that inhabit the planet. These include where they set up shop, how they spin their webs (or if they even do), and whether or not they are harmful to humans. Let's take a look at a few of the more well-known species of spider.

      The black widow. This menacing arachnid is uniquely American. There are four different types of black widow spiders, and each have their own segment of North America to inhabit. Because of accidental transporting, the black widow has begun to show signs of life outside the country, particularly in Sweden. The widow is venomous, with some researchers claiming a toxicity level higher than that of the cobra. However, because of the spider's small size, bites are rarely fatal. Due to the sheer number of bites per year, however, the widow is responsible for more human deaths than any other spider.

      The brown recluse. This spider is also a United States native, preferring warmer, Southern climes. However, the spiders have been reported as far north as Illinois, and as far west as Nevada. Much of the spider's temperament is clued by its name, as it is reclusive, and it prefers to stay away from the company of humans. Bites are very uncommon, but the venom can make the bites that do occur quite serious, sometimes resulting in necrosis of the tissue around the bite.

      The tarantula. This is one of the more worldly spiders, with a presence in North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. While many people have been taught that the tarantula is non-venomous, this is not true. The tarantula's bite, however, is almost never fatal, and is comparable to the sting of a wasp. However, much as with the wasp, there are certain proteins that mix with the venom, creating a toxic reaction for those allergic to the proteins. For this reason, no tarantula bite should go without medical attention.

    Misconceptions

    • One of the most commonly held misconceptions about spiders is the belief that some spiders are venomous, while others are not. This is not true. All but a tiny percentage of spider families have the ability to produce venom. It is whether or not this venom is harmful to humans that is often the question. Another misconception is that spiders are aggressive and will go out of their way to attack. This could not be further from the truth. In almost all situations, a spider will do all it can to avoid a human or perceived threat.

    Significance

    • Spiders have been vilified by cultures throughout the duration of recorded history. Often, the spider has been treated as a symbol of patience due to the way it hunts for food. More often, however, cultures have used spiders as a symbol of malice, playing on their venomous reputation and the almost universal revulsion humans have for them.

    Benefits

    • There are many benefits of spiders to the human race. While eating them may not be at the top of your priority list, tarantulas are a popular snack in some countries, including Cambodia. In addition to this, spiders have a host of benefits to crops and gardens, preying as they do on many of the same insects that will otherwise terrorize a good crop. Spiders may not be pleasant to be around, but they are much less dangerous to you and the environment than commercial pesticides. There has also been some significant research done in the field of spider venom and the treatment of medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease.