Preschoolers may be a little young to memorize the word "arachnid," but they can be taught that spiders, unlike insects, have eight legs and two body segments. Spiders also differ from insects in that they do not have wings or antennae and are unable to chew. Other arachnids include ticks, mites and scorpions.
The front segment of a spider's body includes the eyes, brain and mouth. Some species of spider have as many as eight eyes. The poison is made in this segment of the body as well. The silk is produced in the back segment of spiders. Spiders also produce an oil that keeps them from sticking to their own webs. Spiders have exoskeletons instead of skeletons. Young spiders outgrown their exoskeleton and must crawl out of it.
All spiders have fangs. Most also produce poison. Few spiders, however, produce enough venom to harm humans. Spiders inject their venom into their prey through their fangs. The venom paralyzes them, making their victims easy prey.
Even though all spiders are capable of producing silk, not all spin webs. Webs are used to catch prey. Spiders also use them to move from place to place. Some spiders use their silk to produce ropes. This is a safety net that allows them to crawl back home if they fall. They can also use their silk as a form of transportation.
Spiders that do not make webs are hunters. One way they hunt is to use their coloring to blend into backgrounds so they can catch prey off guard. Other spiders chase their prey. They use their excellent eyesight and speed to spot and catch food sources.
Although spiders can scare people, there are many things of which they are afraid. Large animals such as monkeys, lizards, toads and birds will eat spiders. They can also be killed by small creatures such as ticks that attach themselves to spiders and drink their blood.