Spiders are incredibly diverse
Because of the evolutionary success of spiders, more than 40,000 species have been identified. There are more than one hundred families of spiders (Hillyard, 1994). Each species has differences and unique characteristics. Spiders can be found on all continents except Antarctica. Species of spiders have adapted to the high altitudes of Mt. Everest (Hillyard, 1994). Spiders range in size from the Goliath bird-eating species from South America to the tiny ghost species (Hillyard, 1994). In North Carolina, a large variety of spiders exist because of the diversity of the land and landscape. North Carolina is home to orb spiders such as the goldensilk, white micrathena, and the black and yellow garden spiders, as well as hunting spiders such as the wolf, jumping and fishing spiders that chase and capture their prey. North Carolina also has spiders that weave funnels to which they bring their prey, such as the funnel web spider and the grass door spider. The trap door spider also waits for its prey (Bambara, n.d.).
Spiders come in all sizes
Learn more about spider biodiversity....