Spiders

Spiders (order Araneae) are the most successful terrestrial predators on Earth — 48,000 species consuming an estimated 400–800 million tonnes of prey annually (more than the combined weight of humanity). Only 200 species are medically significant to humans. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, in habitats from deserts to high altitude to caves. Spider silk is the strongest biological material by weight — 5x stronger than steel, 3x tougher than Kevlar, and elastic enough to stretch 30% before breaking. Researchers are working to produce synthetic spider silk for medical sutures, body armor, and aerospace materials. The diving bell spider lives entirely underwater in an air bubble it replenishes by surfacing; the social Anelosimus eximius lives in colonies of 1,000+ in Amazonia.