Spiders - beautiful and useful animals - mini documentary.

Spiders are among the most fascinating and diverse creatures on our planet. With over 48,000 known species, they inhabit almost every habitat - from tropical rainforests to deserts and even urban areas. Although they are often feared or misunderstood, they play a crucial role in ecosystems and fascinate with their unique abilities.
Spiders belong to the class of arachnids and are very different from insects: Their body is divided into two parts (anterior and posterior body), they have eight legs, no antennae and produce silk through special spinning glands. The latter is a key feature. The silk, which is more elastic than rubber and more tensile than steel depending on the species, is not only used to weave elaborate webs. Some spiders use it as a safety line, to wrap up prey, as a protective cocoon for eggs or even as a ‘sail’ to be carried by the wind.
As hunters, spiders regulate insect populations and thus prevent the spread of pests. According to estimates, spiders consume up to 800 million tonnes of prey worldwide every year - an indispensable service for agriculture and natural ecosystems. Their hunting methods are diverse: in addition to classic wheel nets, species such as the crab spider rely on camouflage and surprise attacks, while wolf spiders hunt actively. Jumping spiders, on the other hand, use their excellent eyesight to locate prey.
Fear of spiders (arachnophobia) is widespread, but most species are harmless to humans. Only a few, such as the black widow or the Sydney funnel web spider, have potentially dangerous venom. Incidentally, spiders rarely bite - usually only in defence. Their venom is primarily used to catch prey and often contains substances that are of interest for medical research, e.g. for pain treatment.
In myths, spiders often embody creative power or cunning. The Greek Arachne turned into a spider after defeating the goddess Athena in a weaving contest. In African tales, the tricky spider Anansi symbolises wisdom. Today, spiders often symbolise mystery in pop culture.
Mating is risky for male spiders: they have to perform species-specific courtship dances to avoid ending up as a meal. After laying their eggs, some females protect their offspring, such as the mother-caring wolf spider, which carries its young on its back. Spiders do not undergo metamorphosis, but shed their skin several times in order to grow.
Spiders are not ‘creepy crawlies’, but highly specialised creatures with amazing abilities. By recognising their ecological importance and replacing fear with knowledge, we can learn to appreciate them as part of a fascinating network of life - true to the motto: without spiders, the world would be full of insects. What do you think of spiders? I would really appreciate a like and a subscription.

I am constantly creating videos about mythical creatures and general facts about animals.

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