Introduction

Little Miss Muffet,
Sat on a tuffet,
Eating her curds and whey.
Along came a spider,
And sat down beside her...

Wait a minute...
How did she know it was a spider?
Did she get a really good look at it before she was frightened away?
Did she count its legs?
Did she count its body sections?
What other characteristics did it have?
Do you know how to recognize a spider from other insects?
Check out your spider knowledge by going to the following sites and answering the questions below...

Questions

1. How many legs does a spider have?
   How many eyes?
   How many body sections?
   
   
2. Can any spiders dive underwater?
   
   
3. Why isn't a Daddy long-legs a spider?
   Do spiders have antennaes?
   
   
4. Is spinning webs the only use for the silk made by a spider?
   
   
5. For what two things is the Black Widow spider known?
   
   
6. How many kinds of spiders live in Texas that are harmful to man?
   
   

The Internet Resources

• Yahooligians Animals
• Westside Spidermania!
• Spiders
• Spiders
• Spiders! Activities
• Spiders

The Big Question

What makes a spider a spider?
What characteristics must an animal have to be a spider and not another kind of insect?
In other words, what classifies a spider as a spider?
A fun question to bring this treasure hunt to a close--why don't spiders get caught in their own webs?