How Do Spiders Use Their Webs?
WouterSpiders make webs to trap and catch prey. They do this by releasing silk string into the air. The silk follows air particles with high accuracy. It also has a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio. In addition, spiders use their webs to hear sounds.
A spider can hear sounds up to three metres away. Using the vibrations of the web strands, they locate prey. When they hear soft sounds, they raise their legs off the web. If they hear louder, they turn towards the source.
They can also hydrate themselves by drinking directly from water droplets on the web. Researchers have found that spiders respond to sound levels as low as 68 decibels. Scientists are still debating whether other spider types can use their webs to detect sound.
Some species of Orb-web spiders weave elaborate, decorative webs. Some even decorate their homes with silk. There are also some species that build sticky nets. However, most spiders do not use their webs for food.
The most common type of spider web is the funnel-web. These are wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Their spinnerets are tipped with spigots to control the diameter of the emerging thread. Most spiders have between two and eight spinnerets.
Spiders have been spinning trap webs for about three to four million years. These webs are very effective at catching and trapping prey. However, scientists do not know how spiders avoid traps.
Other spiders, such as the giant huntsman spider, can reach a length of twelve inches. They have a wide web which they use to catch prey.
