Arachnids
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![left panel shows a photo of a noble false black widow spider in a web on the side of a house; the right panel shows a bat pup entangled in said web](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RiE95RPNDpUPwShMu9owqU-320-80.jpg)
False widow spider preys on baby bat in never-before-seen encounter
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Before now, the species had never been seen catching bats.
![That's no spittle: The white marks around this tarantula's mouth are a tangle of parasites called nematodes.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ApjuaLepqrr5PYZ6yau3bH-320-80.jpeg)
Parasitic worm forces tarantulas to tiptoe, then starves them to death
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists discovered a new type of parasitic worm that only infects the mouths of tarantula spiders.
![Daddy longlegs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GfVShUkPEwa8PYaA7FaZHb-320-80.jpg)
Are daddy longlegs really the most venomous spiders in the world?
By Ashley Hamer published
Is there any truth to the tale that daddy longlegs are the most venomous spiders?
![A female black widow spider (Latrodectus) hangs upside-down in her web, showing the red hourglass marking on her abdomen.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rmeU336jj82TWSrRTAURnj-320-80.jpg)
Black widow spiders: Facts about this infamous group of arachnids
By Mindy Weisberger, Jessie Szalay published
Black widow spiders are several species of arachnids in the genus Latrodectus that are known for the females' striking appearance and rumored tendency to eat their mates.
![Tarantulas were among the over 300 living arthropods that authorities recently confiscated at Colombia's El Dorado International Airport.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TiaLUpzcfmQkL4CoYmoB4Y-320-80.jpg)
More than 300 smuggled tarantulas, scorpions and giant cockroaches seized from luggage in Colombia
By Mindy Weisberger published
Authorities at Colombia's airport in Bogotá found and confiscated hundreds of arthropods that German travelers had illegally collected and stashed in a suitcase.
![Little Muppet or a spider with a lot on its mind? Called Hyllus giganteus, this looker is the largest jumping spider, reaching lengths of nearly an inch (2.5 centimeters).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/haWvU9WgeNNDeiiMi4KKNB-320-80.jpg)
Jumping spiders: Facts about the cutest arachnids on the planet
By Stephanie Pappas published
Jumping spiders are a diverse bunch. Some are drab, while others sport a dazzling array of colors and patterns. And they really can jump.
![Funnel-web spiders are among the world's deadliest spiders.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ufFR3vGVrLiB4tUBzUF4Sb-320-80.jpg)
Deadly and massive 'Megaspider' found in Australia has fangs that can puncture a fingernail
By Mindy Weisberger published
The Australian Reptile Park recently welcomed the biggest funnel-web spider that the keepers had ever seen.
![A scorpion at the Scorpion Kingdom laboratory and farm in Egypt's Western Desert, near the city of Dakhla.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZLdRgiEk5j7RmWE7QPGNMB-320-80.jpg)
Scorpions flood Egyptian villages after storm, sting and hospitalize hundreds
By Mindy Weisberger published
Venomous fat-tailed scorpions stung more than 500 people after heavy storms disrupted their habitats and brought the deadly arachnids closer to people.
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