Spider/Scorpion Flashcards
Chelicerae
Pair of mouthparts that contain fangs and are used to stab and paralyze prey.
Carapace
Shield like part of the cephalothorax for protection
cephalothorax
body region composed of the head and thorax fused together
abdomen
the rear portion of the arachnid that contains the body systems
mandible
appendages that crush and bite food
book lungs
respitory structures, layered tissues used to breathe
Spiracles
tiny holes on the abdomen to allow oxygen to enter
appendage
an external body part that projects from the body
neurotoxic
venom that affects the nervous system
necrotic
venom that damages tissues around the bite
dorsal
back of the body
ventral
belly side
ballooning
spiderling travels in the air using a line of silk
spinneret
organ at the end of spider’s abdomen that contains up to 7 types of silk
sensory hairs
hairs on the spider that pick up vibrations and air pressure
silk
liquid protein that turns to a solid when exposed to air
yolk
yellow part of the egg that contains protein and fats
open circulatory system
a system with no vessels, long cavity that moves blood
enzymes
chemicals in liquid form that breaks down food
Where are the spinnerets located?
They are on the posterior region called the abdomen.
Where do the venom glands reside?
The venom glands reside near the chelicerae.
How are the venom glands connected to the fangs?
by ducts
What does most spider venom do?
paralyze its prey
How do sensory hairs help spiders?
Sensory hairs help spiders pick up vibrations, air currents, and pressure.
Does the spider have good eye sight?
No
What does a spider have to do before it can east its prey?
It has to turn its meal into liquid form.
How does a spider turn its meal into liquid form?
The spider exudes digestive enzymes from its sucking stomach onto the victim’s body. Once the enzymes break down the tissues of its prey, it sucks up the liquified remains, along with the digestive enzymes.
What is silk?
Silk is a liquid protein that dries as it leaves the spinnerets.
How do spiders use silk?
They use silk to capture prey, to protect their offspring, to assist them as they move, for shelter, to reproduce, draglines, and egg sacks.
What is ballooning?
Ballooning is a dispersal method for a spider line to travel.
What types of webs do spiders create?
They will either make a cob web or an orb.
Does a tarantula build a web and what is it known as?
A tarantula does not build a web and it is known as a ground spider.
How does a female spider attract a mate?
The female spider releases a special chemical smell called a pheromone to attract a mate.
What happens when spiderlings hatch?
They remain in the cocoon until they are big enough to break out. They eat the yolk stored in their egg until they can leave the cocoon.
How do spiders move their legs?
They rely on a combination of muscle and blood pressure.
How do some spiders get oxygen?
They have an opening in the abdomen called spiracles which allows oxygen to enter into the trachea.
How do some spiders use book lungs to get oxygen?
Spiders have four book lungs located on the ventral side of the abdomen. The book lungs have layers of tissues that absorb the oxygen molecules through diffusion.
What type of circulatory system does the spider have?
The spider has an open circulatory system that consists of a clear, blue blood.
Do scorpions have good vision?
No
How can scorpions tell what is going on in their environment?
They rely on vibrations.
What do young scorpions do for the first few weeks of life?
They ride on their mothers back.
Why is there fluorescent in the scorpion?
It is believed to be part of the molting process.
Are all scorpions venomous?
Yes
When were the oldest artifacts of scorpions?
430 million years ago
How long can some scorpions live without any food or water?
Up to a year
What type of diet to scorpions eat?
Scorpions eat a liquid diet.
How do scorpions eat a liquid diet?
The venom they inject into the prey allows the insides to be turned into liquid that they suck out.
What are young scorpions called?
scrollings
How long do your scorpions stay with their mother?
They stay with their mother until they complete their first molt.
How often do scorpions molt as an adult?
once a year
What do scorpions get most of their water?
From their prey.
What do scorpions need around their living environment?
They need soil.
What do scorpions do when food is scarce?
They slow down their metabolism. Their heart rate and breathing will slow down as well.
What do scorpions need to be able to do with the ground?
They need to be able to burrow under the ground.
What do all arthropods have?
- segmented body
- a chitin exoskeleton
- jointed legs
How many appendages do scorpions have and what are they?
They have 12 appendages. They have 8 legs, 2 chelicera, and 2 pedipalps.
Do scorpions have a lot of eyes?
Yes
How do scorpions move around?
They have very light and tiny hairs on their body that will pick up vibrations as they move around.
What is the scorpion’s tail made out of?
It is made up of 5 segments with a bulb shaped end called a telson.
What is special about the telson?
It is where the stinger is located which contains venom.
