Spiders may be feared or hated, but they are one of the manifestations of animal life, and people have to put up with their existence. Spiders live everywhere, in almost any natural environment capable of supporting living organisms. These creatures dare to live in aquatic environments, and some species are even able to withstand exposure to salty seawater. Among spiders, there are huge interspecies differences, both in color and size. Arachnids are also one of the most numerous classes of invertebrates and provide the amateur naturalist with many opportunities for observation and study. This work will certainly appeal to the amateur naturalist. It covers such fascinating topics as the structure and growth of spiders; producing spider silk and weaving trapping nets; jaw claws and venom; camouflage of spiders, their trapping nets, tunnels and funnels; processes of courtship and reproduction; self-defense. SPIDERS, another entry in the popular series about the animal kingdom, is a book that opens the door to the world of these amazing creatures. 80 color photographs