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Quizzes > Science

Spider Quiz: Test Your Arachnid Knowledge

Quick, free arachnid quiz to test your biology know-how. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lucas AwadUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for spider trivia quiz on a sky blue background

This spider quiz helps you check your knowledge of webs, anatomy, venom, and behavior. Answer fast questions and get instant results, plus bite-size facts along the way. If you want more, try our wildlife quiz or dive into biology trivia next to keep learning about the natural world.

What is the primary silk-producing organ of a spider?
Spinnerets
Pedipalps
Abdomen
Mandibles
Spiders produce silk using specialized structures called spinnerets located at the rear of the abdomen. These organs extrude liquid silk that hardens when it comes into contact with air, allowing spiders to spin webs, build egg sacs, and create draglines. Each species may have different types of silk glands connected to the spinnerets for various uses.
How many legs do spiders have?
12
6
10
8
All spiders are arachnids and characteristically have eight legs, which distinguishes them from insects that have six legs. These eight legs are attached to the cephalothorax and are used for locomotion, sensing the environment, and manipulating silk. The arrangement and length of the legs vary among species, influencing their hunting and web-building techniques.
What do spiders primarily eat?
Insects
Fish
Small mammals
Leaves
Most spiders are carnivorous predators that feed mainly on insects and other small arthropods. They capture prey using webs, ambush tactics, or active hunting, and they inject digestive enzymes to liquefy their meal before ingestion. A small number of species may scavenge dead prey or feed on nectar, but insects remain their principal food source.
Which part of a spider's body contains its heart?
Ovisac
Abdomen
Cephalothorax
Pedipalp
The heart of a spider is located in the dorsal part of the abdomen, or opisthosoma. It pumps hemolymph through arteries to tissues and returns it via open sinuses, functioning within an open circulatory system. The abdomen also houses other vital organs such as the digestive tract, silk glands, and reproductive structures.
Which of these is not a common function of spider silk?
Prey wrapping
Egg sac formation
Water filtration
Web construction
Spider silk serves many purposes including web construction, prey wrapping, egg sac production, and as safety draglines, but it is not used for water filtration. Silk proteins allow for extreme strength and elasticity, enabling these diverse functions. While silk can absorb moisture, spiders do not produce silk explicitly for filtering water.
What is the term for the fear of spiders?
Entomophobia
Zoophobia
Arachnophobia
Insectophobia
Arachnophobia is the specific phobia characterized by an intense fear of spiders. It is one of the most common phobias worldwide and can range from mild unease to a severe panic response. Despite most spiders being harmless to humans, this fear persists due to factors like appearance and media portrayal.
Which spider is known for its potent neurotoxic venom and a red hourglass marking on its abdomen?
Wolf Spider
Brown Recluse
Black Widow
Jumping Spider
The black widow spider (Latrodectus spp.) is famous for its neurotoxic venom and distinctive red hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of its shiny black abdomen. Its venom can cause severe muscle pain and cramps in humans, though fatalities are rare. Black widows are found in temperate regions worldwide and prefer dark, sheltered habitats.
How do tarantulas primarily subdue their prey?
Trapping in webs
Electric shock
Constriction
Injecting venom by biting
Tarantulas are ground-dwelling hunters that capture prey by ambush and subdue it by biting and injecting venom. Their venom contains proteolytic enzymes that immobilize prey and begin digestion. Unlike web-building spiders, tarantulas rely on stealth, strength, and venom rather than silk to secure food.
Which spider family includes the largest spiders in the world by leg span?
Theraphosidae
Araneidae
Salticidae
Lycosidae
The family Theraphosidae, commonly known as tarantulas, includes the largest spiders by leg span, which can exceed 11 inches (28 cm) in species like the giant huntsman. These spiders have robust bodies, hairy legs, and are distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Their impressive size and defensive behaviors make them well-known among enthusiasts.
What phenomenon describes how spiderlings can disperse through the air by releasing silk threads?
Gliding
Parachuting
Ballooning
Spelunking
Ballooning is the behavior where young spiders and some adult spiders release silk threads that catch the wind, allowing them to travel aerially over distances. This dispersal method enables colonization of new habitats and avoidance of overcrowding. Environmental factors like electric charge and wind conditions influence its success.
What specialized structures do male spiders use to transfer sperm to the female?
Chelicerae
Ovipositors
Pedipalps
Spinnerets
Male spiders use modified pedipalps - appendages near the mouth - to transfer sperm to the female's epigyne during mating. These structures are often bulbous and species-specific in shape, serving both to deliver sperm and to identify suitable mates. After fertilization, the female lays eggs into an egg sac, often guarded or carried by her.
Which type of silk is sticky and found in the capture spiral of orb-weaver webs?
Dragline silk
Viscid silk
Structural silk
Flagelliform silk
Viscid silk, also called gluey or sticky silk, forms the capture spiral of orb-weaver webs and is coated with adhesive droplets that trap prey. It is produced by aggregate glands and combines elasticity with stickiness, making it highly effective for ensnaring insects. Flagelliform silk provides the flexible core, while dragline silk forms the web's frame.
How many book lungs do most spider species possess?
No book lungs
Two pairs
Three pairs
One pair
Most araneomorph spiders have one pair of book lungs for respiration, whereas more primitive mygalomorphs often have two pairs. Book lungs are stacked, leaf-like structures within the abdomen that facilitate gas exchange. Some species may also possess tracheae or other respiratory adaptations.
Which genus contains the peacock spiders known for their elaborate courtship dances?
Phidippus
Araneus
Maratus
Latrodectus
The genus Maratus, commonly called peacock spiders, is renowned for the males' vibrant abdomen flaps and intricate courtship dances. These small jumping spiders display colorful patterns and perform waving and vibratory moves to attract females. Discoveries of new Maratus species continue to reveal diverse dance routines across Australia.
Which enzyme in the venom of the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is primarily responsible for the necrotic lesions observed in human bites?
Hyaluronidase
Acetylcholinesterase
Metalloproteinase
Sphingomyelinase D
Sphingomyelinase D is the key necrotic agent in Loxosceles venom that disrupts cell membranes and blood vessels, leading to tissue death and characteristic skin necrosis. It cleaves sphingomyelin in cell membranes, causing inflammatory responses and progressive lesions at the bite site. Research into inhibitors of this enzyme is ongoing to improve treatment of necrotic arachnidism.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Key Spider Anatomy -

    Identify major spider body parts, from cephalothorax and abdomen to spinnerets, enhancing your understanding of spider biomechanics.

  2. Analyze Spider Behaviors -

    Understand common behaviors such as web building, hunting strategies, and defensive tactics to decode how spiders interact with their environment.

  3. Differentiate Spider Species -

    Distinguish between various spider families and species based on visual cues and habitat preferences learned in the trivia questions.

  4. Recall Fascinating Spider Facts -

    Memorize surprising trivia about spider silk strength, venom diversity, and sensory capabilities to impress friends and family.

  5. Apply Spider Knowledge Confidently -

    Use your spider trivia mastery to engage in conversations, quizzes, and educational activities with newfound confidence.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Body Segmentation & Eight-Legged Anatomy -

    Spiders are arachnids with two main body parts - the cephalothorax (where the eyes and legs attach) and the abdomen - plus eight jointed legs for precise movement. To remember this, use the mnemonic "CAP: Cephalothorax And Pedipalps" before tackling any spider trivia quiz. (Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History)

  2. Silk Production & Spinneret Specialties -

    Most spiders have six spinnerets that extrude different silk types - dragline for lifelines, capture spiral for prey trapping, and egg-case silk for brooding. Want a fun spider trivia fact? A simple formula from University of Washington research shows silk's strength comes from its high glycine and alanine peptide ratio (Gly:Ala≈3:1). (Source: UW Department of Biology)

  3. Venom Composition & Prey Subdual -

    Spider venoms contain a cocktail of neurotoxins and enzymes like sphingomyelinase D to immobilize prey and begin digestion externally. Next time you see a question in a spider quiz about venom, remember "V for Venom, V for Vital" when comparing harmless house spiders to the medically significant widow or funnel-web species. (Source: Journal of Arachnology)

  4. Eye Arrangement & Visual Adaptations -

    Spiders typically have four pairs of eyes positioned to suit their hunting style - jumping spiders boast large anterior median eyes for acute vision, while web-builders rely more on vibratory cues. A helpful phrase is "Jumping Eyes Just Zoom" to recall the specialized vision of Salticidae. When prepping for a spider knowledge test, focus on eye patterns across families. (Source: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute)

  5. Web Architecture & Foraging Strategies -

    Orb-weavers craft radial spokes and sticky spirals with up to 30 loops to capture prey, whereas sheet-web builders create horizontal mats that intercept flying insects. Next time you attempt a spider facts quiz or fun spider trivia round, note the web geometry: radial spokes (≈20) versus spiral loops (20 - 30+) as key identifiers. (Source: University of California, Davis)

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