The fascinating world of spiders and their intriguing connections to the Real World

Spiders, those eight-legged marvels, are both captivating and sometimes dangerous and little creepy. They weave intricate webs, hunt down preys bigger than them, and play essential roles in Real World’s ecosystems. Here are some interesting tidbits about these arachnids:

There are at least 5 types of Spiders:

1) Real World Spiders (Lifeforms Bugs):

These are considered, most likely, as the original spiders, since the Real World is the genesis world of the Plastic World (probably and in some way yet to be specified). These belong to the classification of insects (bugs), carbon-based living beings of the Real World.

Intriguing facts about Real World’s spiders:

1. Silk Webs: Spiders create their webs using silk, a remarkable material. Silk is made from proteins produced by the spider’s body. It’s strong, flexible, and sticky, allowing spiders to construct intricate webs for catching preys.
2. Silk Properties: Spider silk is incredibly strong and lightweight. It’s even stronger than steel of the same diameter. Scientists are studying spider silk for potential applications in materials like bulletproof vests and new polymer compounds.
3. Web Diversity: Spiders create an astonishing variety of webs. Some weave classic orb-shaped webs, while others construct funnel webs, cobwebs, or sheet webs. Each type serves a specific purpose, such as catching prey or providing shelter.
4. Spider Diversity: There are over 48,000 known species of spiders worldwide, according to records left by humans. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. From the tiny jumping spiders to the formidable tarantulas, each species has its unique adaptations.
5. Jumping Spiders: These tiny acrobats are known for their impressive leaps. They can jump up to 50 times their body length in a single bound. Their excellent vision helps them accurately target their prey.
6. Trapdoor Spiders: These secretive spiders build burrows with hinged trapdoors made of silk and soil. They wait inside, hidden from view, until unsuspecting prey wanders by. Then, they ambush and pull their prey into the burrow.
7. Venom and Fangs: Most spiders are venomous, but their venom is primarily used to subdue prey. Spiders inject venom through their specialized fangs when hunting or defending themselves. Only a few species posed a threat to humans and fauna, so they were not one of the reasons for the extinction of humans.
8. Venomous vs. Poisonous: Spiders are venomous, not poisonous. Venomous creatures inject toxins (like spiders), while poisonous organisms are harmful if touched or ingested. So, if a spider bites you, it’s venomous, not poisonous.
9. Molting: Spiders don’t have an external skeleton like insects. Instead, they molt to grow. During molting, they shed their old exoskeleton and emerge with a new, larger one. It’s a vulnerable time for spiders, as they’re soft and defenseless until their new exoskeleton hardens.
10. Social Spiders: Most spiders are solitary, but some species exhibit social behavior. For example, social cobweb spiders live in colonies, share webs, and cooperate in capturing prey. They’re the exception rather than the rule.

CAUTION: Although all these peculiarities in normal spiders are not a threat to the Army Men, they can be in the case of cybernetic and abnormal/modified spiders.

2) Plastic Spiders:

In the Army Men Toyverse, Plastic Spiders are toy versions of Real World spiders that come in various shapes and sizes, often used for pranks or as part of Halloween decorations.

Plastic Spiders are typically cheap black or dark-colored to mimic real spiders. Made from durable plastic, these spiders are designed to withstand rough play and outdoor conditions. Some versions even glow in the dark or have movable parts to add to their realism. They can range from tiny, realistic-looking spiders to larger, more exaggerated versions with vibrant colors. But the plastic they are made of is usually much more condensed and less rigid, which makes them less destructible. They can absorb a lot of ammunition without “breaking”, which sticks to their body without causing much damage. The only thing Army Men can do with them is shoot them enough to take them apart little piece by little piece.

There are numerous types of Plastic Spiders, including those that resemble tarantulas, black widows, and other common Human World spider species. Some are designed to be more cartoonish and less frightening, making them suitable for younger children.

Plastic Spiders were often used by humans like mischievous toys to play pranks on others. Their realistic appearance can startle unsuspecting toys, adding a playful element to their interactions. But in some battle scenarios, Plastic Spiders act as guardians or sentinels, using their many eyes and quick movements to keep watch over important areas or treasures. But despite their creepy appearance, Plastic Spiders can be valuable allies. Their ability to navigate tight spaces and climb walls makes them excellent scouts and messengers within the Toyverse.

During special human events or holidays like Halloween, Plastic Spiders are used to decorate toy houses and playsets, adding a spooky atmosphere to the celebrations.

These versatile and often underestimated toys bring a unique dynamic to the Toyverse, blending mischief, utility, and a touch of the eerie.

3) Dr. Madd’s Spiders:

Now, let’s talk about the intriguing connection between spiders and Dr. Madd. In the world of the Army Men, Dr. Madd’s Castle harbors a couple of normal spiders. These arachnids serve as pets, guards, or perhaps even test subjects for the enigmatic doctor. Despite the campaign’s numerous Real World missions, these spiders are the sole bug enemies (aside from the PS1 exclusive cockroach enemies).

At the same time, horrible spiders modified by Dr. Madd have been found. From aggressive and powerful mutations to hybrids of plastic and living tissue.

So, next time you encounter a spider in a house remember: it might not just be an ordinary arachnid, it could be a secret agent of chaos from Dr. Madd himself.

Dr. Madd’s Castle and Its Arachnid Residents

Within the eerie confines of Dr. Madd’s Castle, these spiders skitter about, their presence adding an extra layer of mystery. Perhaps Dr. Madd’s experiments have granted them unusual abilities, size or altered their behavior. Are they loyal minions or unwitting victims? Only the scarce events records holds the answers.

4) Robotic Spiders:

Since Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes 2 events, Robotic Spiders are formidable enemies created or brought first by the Tan Army, specifically by General Plastro. These mechanical arachnids are designed to be both intimidating and effective in combat.

In the Desk and Cashier missions from Sarge’s Heroes 2, Sarge Hawk encounters Robotic Spiders while navigating through a cashier’s desk. The confined space makes the spiders’ agility a significant threat. While in the Pinball final mission, the Robotic Spiders use the various obstacles and ramps of the pinball table to their advantage, creating a challenging environment for Sarge to navigate.

Made from high-grade plastic and metal, these spiders are highly resistant to damage. Robotic Spiders are typically from a single color and metallic, with a sleek, futuristic design. They have multiple legs that allow them to move quickly and navigate various terrains. They can withstand significant amounts of gunfire and other attacks before being disabled. But despite their strengths, Robotic Spiders have a few weaknesses. Their sensors can be overloaded with bright lights or loud noises, temporarily disabling them. Additionally, their joints are vulnerable to precise attacks, which can immobilize them.

Often deployed to guard important instalations, Robotic Spiders are equipped with advanced sensors that can detect movement and heat signatures, making them excellent at tracking and ambushing enemies. They are also armed with small laser cannons or projectile weapons.

Due to their agility and speed, these spiders are used for reconnaissance missions too. They can infiltrate enemy lines and gather crucial intelligence without being easily detected. In battle, Robotic Spiders are used as shock troops to disrupt enemy formations and create chaos. Their sudden and aggressive attacks can break through defenses and cause significant damage.

These mechanical arachnids add a unique and challenging element to the Toyverse, blending the line between toy and machine. The Robotic Spiders were developed in secret Tan Army laboratories using a combination of advanced Real World toy technology and de-plastrification serum, which brought them to life. General Plastro envisioned them as the ultimate soldiers, combining the durability of metal and plastic with the precision of robotics. Over time, the Tan Army has continuously upgraded the Robotic Spiders, adding new features such as cloaking devices and EMP-resistant circuits. These upgrades have made them even more formidable opponents.

5) Alien Spiders:

Spiders in History:

Sarge’s Heroes

Present in Army Men: Sarges Heroes events, Dr. Madd constructed a machine for General Plastro that transformed prisoners of war into spider’s. Among the victims of this transformation process include various soldiers from the Green, Red and Grey Nations. Only by the intervention of Sgt. Hawk and Shrap the machine was destroyed.

Air Attack

Several mutant spiders were found during this campaign, but showed no allegiance to anyone, attacking everyone equally. Some missions consisted of releasing imprisoned insects, which when they left their prisons caused a destructive chaos in the Tan bases.

Air Attack 2

As in the previous campaign, some mutant spiders were also found during this campaign, but mostly living in the wild. They did not show loyalty to anyone, attacking everyone. They were probably a remaining that escaped during the previous campaign, when they were released by the Green Army. In some missions insects attacked the Green Army, adding to the Tan hordes, but the most were cockroaches, not spiders.

Sarge’s Heroes 2

Some Robot Spiders appeared among Plastro’s army, brought from the Real World after being resurrected by Brigitte Bleu. Although these are not very intelligent, they proved to be enemies to be careful with, being too tough to kill.

Army Men RTS

On this occasion, as expected, Hawk and his plastic men did not have to face any mutant spider, crossing only common spiders. These turned out to be harmless if nobody bother them. Of course, they looked completely scary and huge…

Human records about Spiders in their history

Spiders have woven their way into the rich tapestry of human mythology and folklore across various cultures. Here are some captivating spider-related myths and legends:

1. Hopi:
   In the Hopi creation story, Spider Woman is the goddess of the earth. Alongside Tawa, the sun god, she shapes the first living beings. Together, they create First Man and First Woman. Tawa conceives them, while Spider Woman molds them from clay.
2. Greek Mythology:
   The tale of Arachne unfolds in ancient Greece. Arachne, a skilled weaver, boasted that her work surpassed that of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and crafts. After a contest, Athena, recognizing Arachne’s superior weaving, destroyed her creation. Despondent, Arachne hanged herself. Athena intervened, transforming the rope into a cobweb and Arachne into a spider. Now Arachne weaves her intricate tapestries forever, and her name gives us the word “arachnid”.
3. West African Trickster God:
   Anansi, the spider, stirs up mischief in West African folklore, much like Coyote in Native American stories. Anansi is associated with creation, wisdom, and storytelling. His tales traveled through the rich oral tradition and reached Jamaica and the Caribbean via the slave trade. Even today, Anansi stories continue to captivate audiences in Africa.
4. Cherokee Creation Legend:
   A popular Cherokee tale credits Grandmother Spider with bringing light to the world. In ancient times, darkness enveloped everything because the sun was on the other side of the world. Animals agreed that someone must steal light and return the sun. Possum and Buzzard tried but failed, ending up with burned tails and feathers. Grandmother Spider stepped in, weaving a web as she traveled. Using her eight legs, she captured the sun and brought it back, illuminating the world from east to west.
5. Celtic Connection:
   In Celtic myth, spiders were typically seen as beneficial creatures. They were associated with spinning looms, weaving, and perhaps an older, goddess-focused connection that remains unexplored.
6. The Goddess Arianrhod:
   Arianrhod, sometimes linked to spiders, weaves mankind’s fate. Her role as a weaver connects her to these enigmatic creatures.
7. Spiders as Life Savers:
   In various cultures, spiders are credited with saving the lives of great leaders. For instance, in the Torah, there’s a story of David, the future King of Israel, being pursued by soldiers sent by King Saul. David hides in a cave, and a spider builds a massive web across the entrance, concealing him.

Conclusions

Spiders play essential roles in maintaining ecological balance, controlling insect populations, and contributing to biodiversity of the Real World. The next time you spot a spider, appreciate its remarkable adaptations and the intricate world it inhabits.

This arachnids aren’t just skilled weavers; they’re potent symbols in the collective imagination, bridging the gap between the mundane and the mystical. Although they are almost always a symbol of fears and phobias, the truth is that a normal spider does not usually attack plastic soldiers, nor is it possible for them to be harmed. Luckily they don’t eat plastic.