How Do Spiders Walk on Other Spiders Webs?
WouterIf you’ve ever watched spiders walk on other spiders webs, you may have been confused about how it happens. While it’s true that a few spiders have been known to have this ability, the majority of spiders do not.
There are two mechanisms that spiders use to navigate their webs. First, they grasp sticky strands of web with specialized leg structures. Second, they push their legs away from themselves, weakening their adhesion.
The sticky webs of sticky spiders are used to trap and immobilize prey. When an insect lands on a sticky spider’s web, it stays there until the spider eats it.
The sticky webs of the redback spider are also used to trap prey. In the sticky silk forest, the spiders hold the prey in bands of sticky silk.
Some spiders, such as black widows, can subdue and even kill their prey. These spiders are known for their venomous bites and sexual cannibalism.
While many people assume that spiders have some sort of natural lubricant, this is not the case. There are actually no oil glands on the spider’s legs. Instead, the legs have small projections on the end that contain thousands of tiny hairs. These tiny hairs are a type of adhesive pad.
These hairs increase the surface area of the spider’s body that touches the wall. It also helps the spider to grip onto web threads when it walks.
The hairy pads also help the spiders stick to flat surfaces. The adhesive pad contains hundreds of thousands of tiny hairs that are covered by silk.
