09/09/2026
When you see spiders in our parks remember that they need homes too!
Spiders, in general, play crucial roles in the natural environment as both predators and prey. Spiders eat insects such as wasps, flies, and even grasshoppers, making them highly welcome helpers in natural pest control. While spiders are important predators, they are not what we call apex predators, meaning there are other animals that eat spiders. Spiders are important food sources for lizards, birds, and even other spiders.
While most spiders are venomous in order to capture and dissolve their prey, only a tiny percentage of spiders can harm humans with a bite. Those spiders with highly toxic venom, such as the world-famous black widow and brown recluse, do not make large webs up in the air for us to stumble upon. Instead, they prefer a much more subtle approach and, for the most part, steer clear of people.
