How Do Spiders Hold Their Breath Underwater?
WouterA diving bell spider uses an air bubble to breathe underwater. The spider uses its silken web to trap a bubble of air on the water’s surface. When it needs to take a breath, it enlarges the bubble by adding air to it.
Some spiders can spend up to two years underwater. These creatures, known as sea spiders, eat small aquatic insects and crustaceans. Their bite is said to be extremely painful.
However, they are not true spiders. They are not arachnids at all. They are protected by their underwater “film of air,” which they build out of body hairs. The body hairs collect oxygen and carbon dioxide from the water and exchange them with the film.
The spider’s body also contains a thin layer of oxygen held in spiracles on its abdomen. These spiracles are connected to the tracheal system. They also hold a small amount of nitrogen. As the oxygen level in the bubble decreases, the nitrogen concentration increases. This eventually causes the bubble to collapse.
There are also a few species of aquatic arthropods that have physical gills. These plastrons allow them to breathe as though they were breathing air on the surface. They are found in some spiders and other aquatic arthropods.
In the past, scientists have thought that a spider could only breathe underwater for a few minutes. However, new research shows that these animals can stay underwater for hours or even days.
This is because of the water-repelling hairs that the spider carries in its abdomen. The water-repelling hairs help trap a bubble of air around the abdomen. This air bubble can last up to 24 hours.
