Discover Nature this week with Missouri’s creepy critters. It's that spooky time of year -- when plastic bats and spiders abound. But the real critters are not as scary as people think – plus, they bring benefits.
There's one type of tarantula in Missouri, which is the state's largest spider, and they prefer dry rocky glades.
Tarantulas are nocturnal and use the venom in their fangs to subdue and digest prey like crickets.They are shy and avoid people, with bites that are not normally serious, similar to a honeybee sting.
There are 14 types of bats in Missouri, and they're the only mammals that can fly.
Author's summary: Exploring Missouri's creepy critters reveals their benefits.