abdomen: The rear section of the spider where  the heart, liver, lungs, and silk-producing glands are found.

arachnid: Any animal that has eight legs, two body parts and no backbone, wings, or antennae.  Spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites are members of this group.

cephalothorax: (sef  ah low THOR ax): The front section of the spider that has the eyes, brain, and jaws.  The legs are attached here.

exoskeleton: All spiders have this hard outer shell that covers and protects their bodies.  It does not grow.

eyes:  Most spiders have four pairs of eyes (one main pair and three smaller pairs); however, some species have fewer.  Few spiders see well.

legs: All spiders have four pair of legs: two pairs facing front and two pairs facing back.  The hairs on a spider's legs pick up vibrations and smells from the air.  At the end of each leg are two or more tiny claws.

molt:  As a spiderling grows, its exoskeleton becomes tight and eventually  cracks open.  When the young spider sheds this outer layer, it has molted.

palps:  These leg like limbs at the sides of the spider's jaws serve as feelers.  Spiders also use them to hold, taste, and crush their prey.

spiderling: a baby spider

spinnerets:  Openings on the undersides  of a spider's abdomen (at the rear) where silk is released.

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