What does this page offer?
- Read about the basic facts on arachnids
- Access some of the free short courses on arachnids
- Join OZT as a member to learn even more about how to work with arachnids while meeting people from around the world!
You have chosen a career to follow and prepare for; now it’s time to learn more about the species and breeds you will work with.
- Read about the basic facts on arachnids
- Join the Arachnids Group to learn how to work with them and meet people from around the world
- Access all of the free short courses on arachnids
- Connect with tertiary institutions and organisations that work with arachnids
Basic Facts on Arachnids
A group of small wingless invertebrate animals (arthropods), having a body divided into two parts, the Cephalothorax and the abdomen, with four pairs of jointed legs.
Scientific name:
The word Arachnida comes from the Greek for spider.
Common use names:
There is no specific indication between the two genders, except the usual male and female.
A group of spiders is known as a clutter or cluster. A group of scorpions is a bed.
The word “arachnid” in other languages:
- Dutch: spinachtige
- French: arachnide
- Spanish: arácnida
- Turkish: eklembacaklılardan
Awesome fact:
Some arachnids possess hidden cognitive abilities, including foresight and planning, complex learning
Arachnida Stats
Average Length
Arachnids range widely in size. Common spiders average around 0.5 to 1 cm in body length, while larger species like tarantulas can reach up to 12 cm. Scorpions also vary significantly, with average lengths from 5 to 10 cm, though some can exceed 20 cm. General lengths for all type of arachnids are 0.1 mm to 48 cm (0.004 to 19 in)
Average Weight
Most arachnids are quite light. Small spiders may weigh less than a gram, while large tarantulas can weigh up to 4 kg (9 lb). Scorpions, depending on the species, can weigh from a few grams up to 56 grams for some desert species.
Average Lifespan
Many arachnids live a few weeks to 3 years on average, though certain tarantulas can live 20-30 years in captivity.
Average Offspring
The number of offspring varies greatly, depending on the species and environmental factors. Spiders can produce 100 to 3,000 eggs at a time. Scorpions may give birth to 20-100 live young. A female horseshoe crab can lay up to 120,000 eggs in a single breeding season.
Running Speed
Many spiders move at a speed of around 0.5 to 1.2 mph (0.8–2 km/h), though certain species can sprint faster for short bursts.
Active Time
Most arachnids are Nocturnal and are active at night to avoid predators and harsh daytime conditions. They often seek shelter during the day.
Main Diet
Arachnids are primarily carnivorous and feed on insects, small animals, and occasionally other arachnids. They are typically ambush predators. Some species, like mites, have more varied diets, including detritus, plant matter, and small fungi.
Distribution & Habitat
Almost all countries, except the arctic regions - all habitats, except high and cold altitudes, as well as the oceans
Estimated Global Population
While exact numbers are unknown, arachnids are extremely abundant, especially spiders, which have been estimated to reach a global population of several quadrillions.
Conservation Status
Least Concern to Vulnerable
The scientific classification of arachnids
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: 15
Family: 640
Genus: 9,000
Species: 93,000
Free Short Courses on Arachnids
Here are two examples of the many free short courses on Arachnids. You can access the content of each course without registering, or you can access the curated lists as a member. Visit our directory of courses by clicking on the FREE COURSES link in the top menu.
Join one of the 4 Arachnid Groups
Learn even more about Cats by joining the ARACHNID GROUP
Learn even more about arachnids as a class of animals or about specific species by joining one of the four ARACHNID GROUPS.
The Groups:
- Arachnids – This is the GENERAL Group for those who have not chosen a specific kind of arachnid to work with yet, or who want to work with all of them. It also includes the groups of arachnids not covered by the other three Groups. These are the mites, ticks, harvestmen, solifugae, whip scorpions, false scorpions, tailless whip scorpions, palpigrades, schizomids etc
- Scorpiones – Specific Group only for Scorpions
- Araneae – Specific Group only for Spiders
- Xiphosura -Specific Group on Horseshoe Crabs
Members of the Groups can access all the different OZT Short Courses and meet other arachnid lovers from around the world.
Topics covered in the ARACHNID GROUPS:
- General arachnid knowledge (Anatomy, Habitat, Behaviour, Diet, Ecological Benefits & Conservation)
- Arachnid Care & Health
- Arachnid Business and Design
- Practical Applications (how people work with them)
- Species (courses on over 50 different species)
Interact with all of the relevant tertiary institutions that feature courses related to cats, as well as animal organisations that work with cats.
If you are not a member yet, then register for FREE!
Career profiles and resources
How many career profiles are there on OZT where you can work with arachnids?
Contributions by expert members are always appreciated to allow the Students to make informed decisions. Please add your contribution through the attached Form:
List of Species Mentors/Educators who have contributed to the info:
BugBoss
A few excellent pictures of the species:
