Hooded tickspiders (Ricinulei) are an order of small, predatory arachnids that feed on other arthropods. Despite the name, they are neither true spiders nor ticks. First described from fossils, these arachnids were once thought to be extinct, but more than 70 living species have since been described worldwide.
They are notable for their hood (or cucullus) which can be raised and lowered over the head; when lowered, it covers the mouth and chelicerae entirely. Hooded tickspiders have no eyes, but do have light-sensitive areas of cuticle on their exoskeleton.
After receiving a spermatophore from a male, the female will carry a single fertilized egg under her hood until it hatches.
Photos 1-3 by cesarfavacho, 4 by M. Hedin, 5 by b_akeret, 6-7 by alex-valmond, 8 by aztekium_tutor, and 9 by braytonidae
