Can Spiders Make Noise?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered, “Can spiders make noise?” you’re not alone. They’re known for their silent nature, but they’re also capable of making a variety of sounds to help them ward off predators.
In addition to rubbing their pedipalps together, a few types of spiders use a technique called stridulation to make a variety of different noises. Some species use this to communicate with other spiders, while others produce noise to frighten off potential threats.
A variety of spiders, including some giant tarantulas, make loud hissing noises when disturbed. This is done to scare off potential predators and attract mates. Other spiders create sound through stridulation and purring.
One type of spider, the wolf spider, makes a ‘purring’ sound. Its males position themselves on surfaces that vibrate easily, and then rub their pedipalps to produce the sound.
Another type of spider, the jumping spider, uses vibration to communicate with other spiders. Its legs squirm together to make a ‘high-pitched whine’ of 10,000 hertz, while a smaller species of spider uses vibration to detect other animals.
Other species of spiders, such as the Palpimanus spider, rely on touch to generate sound. These are arachnids with poor vision. When two Palpimanus spiders are touching, they’ll produce buzzing chirps. The researchers believe this defense strategy may help them avoid eating their own kind.
Researchers from Binghamton University used an anechoic chamber to test pure tone sound levels. Spiders responded to sounds at a range of frequencies, from 150 hertz to 750 hertz.
