Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

I think it’s safe to say most people are – if not scared of spiders – are at least wary of them.

02—It probably disturbs them a little bit.

Michael Warriner is an invertebrate biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife.

05—I actually like spiders, but most people don’t. It kind of comes down to their appearance.

Eight legs…a segmented body…and fangs… several pairs of eyes… spinnerets… what’s not to like? In Texas we have just over a thousand spider species.

18—People are concerned about spider bites and spider venom, but only about five to six of those one thousand plus species have venom that could be considered medically significant. Meaning you might need to go to the doctor or a hospital.

Michael says there’s a group of spiders called house spiders that are harmless—and like us – just trying to make a living. If you see spiders in your home, that means they have found a food source.

13—Spiders are predators. They feed on other insects – tings like roaches. They need a prey source. And so, maybe the best way, if you don’t like having spiders in your house, is to modify the habitat.

Even the tidiest of homes may have spiders in them.

Tomorrow, we tell you about what – besides food – brings them indoors. It may surprise you.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.