Page 23 - World of Animals - Issue #28 Magazine

AMAZING

ARTHROPODS

Look past their creepy-crawly qualities, and explore

the millions upon millions of arthropods that
dominate the land, sea and air

Words David Crookes
Arthropods are some of the most amazing creatures on And yet people may still flinch. Even those not suffering
Earth, with a history that is both long and fascinating. from arachnophobia may have cringed slightly at the
While they may account for a sizeable number of phobias jumping spider on this page. With eight eyes and sharp
among humans, their extraordinary diversity and cunning vision, these spiders can not only see all around them but
adaptations mean that once you get to know them, you they can also see more colours than us and can pick up
can’t help but like them. on green and ultraviolet light too.
In many ways, arthropods are the true kings and When it comes to actively stalking prey (they prefer
queens of the Earth, having roamed the planet for more this method over capturing victims in a web), the jumping
than 500 million years. They outnumber any other group spider’s vision, combined with its ability to make long and
of animals, so while it’s true that some of them sting agile leaps, creates a formidable opponent. Some species
and others are poisonous, arthropods play a vital role in can jump forward more than 50 times their body length.
nature, whether it’s through pollination, pest control or Given this head for heights, it’s no surprise that jumping
helping to maintain an ecological balance. spiders have even been spotted on Mount Everest!

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