Spider webs are stronger than steel and 7 other arachnid facts you won't believe

After it was revealed spiders are catching fish for their supper, we bring you other surprises about our eight-legged friends

Getty An Orb-weaver spider (Araneus diadematus) is pictured on its web
Peaceful: Spiders are happy when they're not bothered

Just when you thought spiders couldn't get any scarier, they start eating fish.

This was the recent breakthrough by scientists who found that the arachnids are now taking to water to find their supper.

Fear of the eight-legged insects is one of the most common phobias in the world and this surely isn't going to help matters.

But there's actually a ton of shocking information you may not have realised about the creepy crawley.

Here are ten spider facts that are sure to leave you watching your step.

1. The largest spider on Earth has a leg span on 11 inches

Getty Goliath bird-eating spider
Big: Goliath Bird-Eating has some length behind it

If you though the ones on your living room wall were a pest, then you've not seen this one.

The Goliath Bird-Eater is not a creature you want to come face-to-face with.

With a leg span of 11 inches, it is the largest spider in the world.

It can also weight up to a whopping 170g.

2) Jumping spiders can launch themselves 50 times their own length

Barcroft A micrograph of a jumping spider
Leaper: Jumping Spiders can cover some distance

Keeping your distance from these guys won't make much of a difference.

Jumping spiders can fling themselves over 50 times their own length when airborne.

Think you might be able to avoid one?

Think again. They're the largest family of spiders and account for about 13% of he species.

3) A female can deliver up to 3,000 eggs

Getty Spider Eggs
Birth: There's usually plenty on eggs

There's no twins or triplets for these creepy crawleys who instead lay eggs by the thousands.

The most a female can lay is 3,000 but most settle at only 2,000.

In some cases the mother dies after producing the young.

At least she's leaving plenty behind.

4) Spiders can top speeds of up to 10mph

Internet unknown Camel Spider
Speed: The insects can move at a rapid speed

They say you can run but you can't hide - well not in this case.

The Camel Spider, found in deserts, is one of the fastest insects on the planet.

It can reach speeds of 10mph when it hits its stride which is extremely quick for its size.

Luckily, they're not deadly to humans.

5) Spider bites can lead to impotence

Rex Brazilian wandering spider
Deadly: The Brazilian Wanderer can kill you

The Brazilian Wandering Spider is the most poisonous on the Earth.

Its venom can leave you only seconds away from death before medical help.

But a less-known fact is that it can actually cause impotence.

One consequence of being bitten is that men could be left with an erection that lasts for hours.

6) There are over 40,000 species

Rex Giant house spider
Plenty: The house spider is extremely common

The bugs you find in your back garden are just a small glimpse at the arachnid world.

Overall there are 43,678 different species of spiders.

That number is constantly growing as scientists make more and more discoveries.

All the spiders are subcatergorised into families.

7) Spider silk is stronger than steel

Rui Vieira / PA A frozen spider web
Sturdy: Silk on the web is strong

The eight-legged insects have a knack for building webs and some of them are very impressive structures.

Not only visually, but by strength.

For it's weight, the silk used on webs is actually stronger than steel.

Remember that next time you run into one.

8) Do not disturb

Peaceful: Spiders are happy when they're not bothered

It may be a given, but spiders just want to be left to their own devices.

One of the eight-legged insects in particular likes his alone time.

One spider known as the Brown Recluse is known to set up home in the middle of nowhere for some peace and quiet.

There is hell to pay if you disturb him.