Spiders of the World

by Preston-Mafham, Rod; Preston-Mafham, Ken

• ISBN13: 9780816052141
• ISBN10: 081605214X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction to Spiders	11	(10)
Structure of Spiders	21	(19)
Classification of Spiders	40	(16)
Courtship and Mating	56	(25)
Life History of Spiders	81	(24)
Prey Capture	105	(34)
Spider Defence Mechanisms	139	(35)
Spiders and Man	174	(7)
Appendix: Spider Families	181	(2)
Glossary	183	(2)
Guide to Further Reading	185	(2)
Index	187

Excerpts

Although very few spiders are dangerous to humans, the group as a whole still provokes fear and loathing among many people. Spiders of the World describes these intriguing creatures with their highly individual life styles, their variety, and their beauty in a thought-provoking manner.
The opening chapters on the structure of spiders and their relationships to each other and to invertebrates in general provide, in a very readable form, sufficient background for an appreciation of the subsequent chapters on behavior. Spiders' elaborate courtship rituals, mating, life histories, and many adaptations for catching prey and feeding are described using examples from all over the world. Their astonishing defense mechanisms, particularly mimicry and camouflage, are also discussed.
Spiders of the World provides an excellent source to the habits and diversity of these unique creatures. The authors present the recent information on the subject, and the text is generously illustrated with line drawings, maps, and color and black-and-white photographs from the authors' one-of-a-kind collection.