eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Research Arachnids

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Arachnids, thanks to Hollywood, are assumed to just be spiders, but they include many other types of creepy crawlies like ticks and scorpions. Although many people have phobias about arachnids, many people are passionate about them. Learn about them and see which type you are.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Understand that arachnids are part of the arthropods, as are insects, but arachnids are not insects! Arthropods are a division of the animal kingdom that have an exoskeleton and segmented bodies. This means they wear their skeleton on the outside and their bodies are in segments so that they can move.

  2. Step 2

    Use the common terms to search for arachnids on the Internet: spider, scorpion, tick, daddy long legs. These simple terms will bring up friendlier websites that are not teeming with complicated science.

  3. Step 3

    Join one of the many societies that are dedicated to the study of arachnids, such as the American Arachnological Society. These are scientists and hobbyists who do research and support education about arachnids.

  4. Step 4

    Teach children about arachnids by reading picture books. A visit to the library will provide lots of books with colorful pictures and information. The librarian can guide you to the right place and help you find age appropriate books.

  5. Step 5

    Visit the zoo. Most zoos have an invertebrate section, featuring animals without spines. Remember, relatively speaking, arachnids are small--they won't be as easy to find as the elephants are. Ask around!

  6. Step 6

    Use the search term "poisonous animals" to pull up websites that can teach you about the spiders, scorpions and ticks that can potentially harm you, like the black widow spider or the black scorpion.

Tips & Warnings
  • Keep in mind that Hollywood's version of arachnids is very imaginative. Because they have an exoskeleton, arachnids have a size limit; there is only so much skeleton a spider can haul around!
  • Some arachnids are poisonous, so don't handle them!

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Hobbies, Games & Toys
Nate Chang, eHow Expert,

Meet Nate Chang, eHow Expert eHow's Hobbies, Games & Toys Expert.

Get Free Hobbies, Games & Toys Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Hobbies, Games and Toys
eHow_eHow Hobbies, Games and Toys