Do Spiders Live Alone?
WouterMany people assume that spiders live alone. However, they actually live in communal groups. Spider colonies can be found all over the world. They can number tens of thousands of individuals.
Spiders form these groups in order to take down their prey. These colonies are typically located in tropical and temperate areas. Hundreds of species of spiders live in these groups.
One group of spiders is called the ant-mimicking spiders. These spiders produce a nutritious milk-like substance for their young. The young rely entirely on this milk until they reach the subadult stage.
Researchers have discovered that the female ant-mimicking spiders are social. Their offspring also get care from their mothers.
Researchers have found that some spiders create large webs. They can be five feet wide and hold 50,000 spiders. These webs are built to catch their prey.
Scientists have also discovered that some spiders build silk webs. This is an unusual feature. It is thought that this is because of the environmental conditions. A web that is made up of hundreds of spiders can take down bigger insects.
Researchers have also studied the effects of rainfall on spiders. Some groups of spiders are protected from heavy rains. Others are not. Regardless of the reason, they are important for the ecosystem.
Unlike many arthropods, some spiders have a complex communication system. They use pheromones to communicate with each other. As a result, they can hear sounds from more than three meters away.
