03/02/2023
Wild Wednesday - March 1 - Spiders
Spiders share our world. Much of the time, we don't see them and they don't bother us. They generally do not go out of their way to bite us or even drop on us in our tents while we are sleeping. But for many people, those 8 legs look scary.
Spiders have a wonderful variety of color, shape, and size. They make a variety of webs. Or don't. Encourage the Scouts to notice them and their variety. Notice characteristics. Identify them. Spiders in the pictures are identified at the end of this description. The goal here is to appreciate the wildlife that inhabit our environments and live with them rather than killing them. Respect their space.
Most spiders have venom but they don't want to use it on people. The black widow and the brown recluse are rare but a concern to be aware of. See the link to "Survive a venomous spider bite" from Scouting magazine. If you or a friend are bitten, capture (or at least photograph) the spider.
There is a black widow spider on the cover the First Aid merit badge pamphlet. Treatment for spider bites is covered on page 132 of the Scouts BSA handbook (cleanse, apply ice, treat for shock). Link to First Aid merit badge page in comments.
Remind the Scouts that spiders are not insects. The Insect Study merit badge explores insects. The resource in the comments includes an insect quiz.
I've practiced moving them with a cup and card with even the youngest Cub Scouts. I used small beads as stand-ins for the spiders. We mentioned moving them outside (where indoor spiders might die) or the basement (will the house centipedes get them?).
Beware the source when looking for information about spiders. Pest removal companies emphasize the danger. They want you to be afraid and use their services and products. Remind your Scouts to consider the source of information; that's part of the technology T in STEM.
In searching for "BSA spider" I found Spider Block Fish Habitats. That's a cool example of creating habitat. Link in comments.
Spiders mostly identified top to bottom and left to right.
Top row: High Eyelashed Jumping Spider, Zebra Jumping Spider, Blacktailed Red Sheetweaver, Spined Micrathena, American Nursery Web Spider
Middle row: Long-Jawed Orb Weaver, Wolf Spider, MarbledOrb Weaver, Philodromus, Yellow Garden Spider
Bottom row: Rabid Wolf Spider, Arrowhead Orb Weaver, Orchard Spider, Dark Fishing Spider, Bold Jumping Spider.
