Example: Black Widow Spider

The infamous black widow spider is just one of 30,000+ recognized members of the carnivorous spider order that catches insects with webs or jaws. Its venom is 15 times more potent than an equal weight of rattlesnake venom but its 1.7 mm (.07 in.) fangs inject a much smaller amount. Arachnids not only eat but are eaten by many insects. Some gather and store live, paralyzed spiders within their nests for hungry offspring. For this reason, the black widow, like most other spiders, retreats to a far corner of the web when threatened. It then curls up its legs and plays dead. All widows weave their their tangled webs in quiet and protected areas under boards or rocks and in burrows or tree cavities.