Close-up of a spider with a yellow and black striped body sitting at the center of its web, with a blurred green background.

What Role Do Spiders Play in the Food Chain?

Name: What Role Do Spiders Play in the Food Chain?
Uploaded: 2026-07-30T09:11:35Z
Duration: 1 min 10 s
Description: Spiders are the planet's top predators.

Spiders are the planet's top predators.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

© American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

The chemistry of mummies, ghosts, and vampires.

The Chemistry of Mummies, Ghosts, and Vampires
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

The “tongue map” locates taste receptors for sweet, salty, bitter, and sour flavors on different parts of the tongue.

Do Different Parts of the Tongue Taste Different Flavors?
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Let's go on a planetary parade.

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Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flying, perching, and fishing in the Chilkat River valley of southern Alaska.

Study the migratory, predatory, and living habits of North American bald eagles
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz

Learn about polar bear predation on walrus in this video.

Observe polar bear predation on walrus on Wrangel Island
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz

A softshell turtle hunting for fish in Lake Khanka.

Surviving storms and seasons at Lake Khanka
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

A black-and-yellow argiope (Argiope aurantia) capturing a grasshopper in its orb web.

Witness an orb-weaving spider using silk wrappings to immobilize grasshopper prey

Last Modification: Oct. 17, 2026

What Role Do Spiders Play in the Food Chain?

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