Not-So-Spooky Spiders

As Halloween approaches, we take a look at an animal that is sometimes considered spooky: the spider. From "excessive leggy-ness" to powerful venom, Casey and Sara discuss why people might be creeped out by spiders, and whether or not they really deserve their bad reputation (spoiler alert: they don't). 

 

Resources for this episode: 

National Geographic: Spiders Evolved Spare Legs

WSJ: Spiders' Legs are Hydraulic Masterpieces

Why 8 Eyes Are Better Than 2 (If You're a Spider) [VIDEO]

Scientific American: Fact or Fiction? People Swallow 8 Spiders a Year While they Sleep

Eight Fun Facts About Black Widows

Penn State Extension: Brown Recluse Spiders

Natural History Museum of Utah: Don't Fear the Widow

Museums Victoria: Top Spider Myths

National Library of Medicine: Black Widow Spider Toxicity

UK Entomology: Brown Recluse Spider