Spiders may frighten many people, but these eight-legged creatures are actually engineering marvels with abilities that defy imagination. A strand of spider silk is incredibly flexible and can be up to five times stronger than a piece of steel of the exact same size. In this deep dive into the arachnid world, you will uncover the truth behind these misunderstood predators. Learn how they differ entirely from insects, why some species can walk directly on water, and how certain spiders use the hairs on their legs to sense sound since they do not have ears. The book covers a wide variety of fascinating species, from the tiny jumping spiders that can leap fifty times their own body length, to the massive Goliath Bird-eater Tarantula from South America. Through detailed sections on spider anatomy, venom, egg-laying, and web-building techniques, you will gain a newfound respect for these essential pest controllers.