The Uninvited Guest
Imagine spotting a spider scurrying across your living room. Understandably, it would trigger an immediate response- but would you hurt it? Or would you allow it to continue along its way? Do you perceive it as dangerous? Why?
Have you ever watched a young child display curiosity when encountering a small creature for the first time? Usually they might move towards it and their parent or guardian might caution them not to! This transition from recognition to fear could therefore be a learned behavior and may not necessarily equate to innate fear. Fear, the one emotion whose presence overrides any other, is our reaction to danger or in anticipation of danger. After all, it's linked to our survival!
And so, the general perception of spiders is that they are inherently dangerous 'insects'. Well, studies do show that of the known species studied by science almost all possess venom glands in their chelicerae, which they use to inject venom in their prey- they are natural predators! However, of these known species, less than one percent possess venom that could potentially harm humans. So therefore, wouldn't this mean that there is a very low chance of dying from a spider bite? Also if you take the time to observe them you will realize that they are generally very shy creatures who usually tend to avoid human contact! One moment they are in your eyesight and the next they disappear! The truth is we need spiders, especially in our homes to protect against insects that are carriers of diseases such as mosquitoes and flies.
Insects? Yes, mosquitoes and flies for example are insects! But spiders are not! Many people colloquially refer to spiders as insects despite the biological reality that, they are actually one type of arachnids like scorpions and mites. All these creatures belong to the Arthropod Phylum, however, they do have differentiating characteristics. Spiders possess eight (8) legs and two body segments (as seen in the above photo) , whereas insects have six (6) legs and three (3) body segments. See! They are different, aren't they?
So the next time you spot a spider in your home, just let it go...
By Prelle