Despite all the dislike of mankind for spiders, as well as the abundance of prejudices and scary stories associated with them, the question of how a spider spins a web appears in kids almost simultaneously with the interest of why the grass is green and the water is wet. The result of the labor of these unattractive animals really often resembles elegant lace. And if the spiders themselves are unpleasant to look at, and many are even afraid of them, then the web created by them involuntarily attracts attention and causes sincere admiration.
Meanwhile, not everyone knows that such “curtains” are not woven by all representatives of the detachment. Almost every species is able to create a thread for the warp, but only those that hunt with traps make trapping nets. They are called shadows. They are even separated into a separate superfamily "Araneoidea". And the names of spiders that weave hunting webs have as many as 2308 points,among which there are poisonous ones - the same black widow and karakurt. Those who hunt by ambushing or stalking prey use the web exclusively for domestic purposes.
The unique qualities of spider "textile"
Despite the small size of the creators, the features of the web cause some envy from the crown of nature - man. Some of its parameters are incredible even with the achievements of modern science.
- Strength. The web can only break from its own weight if the spider spins it 50 meters long.
- Exceptional subtlety. A separate cobweb is visible only when it hits a beam of light.
- Elasticity and elasticity. The thread is stretched without breaking 2-4 times, and without loss of strength.
And all these qualities are achieved without any technical equipment - the spider manages with what nature has provided.
Types of cobwebs
It is interesting not only how a spider spins a web, but also the fact that it manages to develop its different "grades". Roughly speaking, they can be divided into three types:
- Strong - produced only by nets and form the basis of trapping nets.
- Sticky. Jumpers are made of them all in the same networks, and are glued at the slightest touch, and in such a way that it is very difficult to remove them.
- Household. Of these, spiders create cocoons and "doors" for minks. Moreover, they also come in several types, since they are produced in varying degrees of softness and fluffiness.
Scientists also highlight another type of web that mirrors ultraviolet light, luring butterflies. Many believe that the finished web necessarily has its own pattern. However, this is not so: the names of spiders capable of creative delights can be counted without much difficulty, and all such artists belong to the araneomorphic representatives of this order of arthropods.
What is it for
If you ask a person why a spider needs a web, he will answer without any doubt: for hunting. But this does not exhaust its functions. Additionally, it is applied in the following areas:
- for warming minks before wintering;
- to create cocoons in which offspring mature;
- for rain protection - spiders make a kind of canopy from it, preventing water from entering the "house";
- for travel. Some spiders move on their own and escort children out of the womb of the family on long cobwebs blown away by the wind.
Education of building material
So, let's figure out how a spider spins a web. On the abdomen of the "weaver" there are six glands, which are considered to be transformed rudiments of the legs. Inside the body, a special secret is produced, which is commonly called liquid silk. As it exits through the spinning tubes, it begins to harden. One such thread is so thin that it is difficult to see it even under a microscope. With paws located closer to the currently “working” glands, the spider twists several threads into one cobweb - approximately the way women did in the old days withspinning from tow. It is at the moment when the spider weaves the web that the main characteristic of the future web is laid - stickiness or increased strength. And what is the mechanism of choice, scientists have not yet figured out.
Stretching Technology
For its effectiveness, a trapping net must be stretched between something - for example, between branches. When the first thread is made long enough by its maker, he stops spinning and spreads out the spinning organs. So he catches the wind. The slightest stirring of the wind (even from the heated earth) carries the cobweb to the neighboring "support", for which it clings. The spider moves along the "bridge" (most often sagging back down) and begins weaving a new radial thread. Only when the base is fixed does it begin to move in a circle, weaving sticky transverse lines into it. I must say, spiders are very economical creatures. They eat up the damaged or old web that turned out to be unnecessary, letting the “recycled materials” into the second round of use. And it becomes old, according to the creator, rather quickly, since the spider often spins a web every day (or night, if he is a Shadowhunter).
What do spiders eat
A fundamentally important question, since the spider weaves a web, first of all, for food. Note that without exception, all types of spiders are predators. However, their diet is highly dependent on size, hunting methods and where they live. All web (weaving webs) spiders are insectivorous, and their diet is mainly based onflying forms. Although if a crawling character falls onto a web from a tree, its owner will not disdain them. Those who live in burrows and close to the ground eat mainly orthoptera and beetles, although they may drag a small snail or worm into their shelter. Among the variety of what spiders eat, there are also larger objects. For a water representative of a tribe called Argyroneta, crustaceans, aquatic insects and fish fry become victims. Exotic giant tarantulas prey on frogs, birds, small lizards and mice, although the same insects make up the majority of their diet. But there are also more finicky types. Individuals of the Mimetidae family prey only on spiders that do not belong to their species. The huge tarantula Grammostola eats young snakes - and destroys them in amazing numbers. Five families of spiders (in particular, Ancylometes) fish, and are able to dive, swim, track down prey and even pull it onto land.
