Spiderwebs: How Unique Are They Really

Is every spider web unique?? Oh, what wonderfully tangled webs they weave. According to Live Science: "Spiderwebs are astonishingly complex constructions for objects that are so delicate. Even if webs don't literally spell out the words 'terrific' and 'radiant' like those in the book "Charlotte's Web" do, each is nonetheless an intricate engineering marvel. Building these strong yet ephemeral traps is a process that follows patterns shared among spider species. But is there room for individual variation that makes one species' web — or one individual spider's — recognizably different from another's?"

"There are approximately 48,000 known spider species worldwide, and while all spiders have silk-producing organs, known as spinnerets, and can produce several varieties of silk, not all spiders spin webs and lie in wait for their prey. Some spiders actively hunt for food, but they still use silk for making wind-sailing balloons, egg sacs or tiny 'house' to 'hide in." Very interesting! We had no idea that spiders vary so greatly, and even in the ways they approach basic activities such as hunting for food and building their web-y homes.

Story via Live Science.

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Spider webs are amazing! Look at how intricately woven each strand is, we've learned so much about modern engineering from the wonders of the natural world. And we have much more to learn, too!

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This one appears to be more delicate and light, we had no idea that different species of spiders have such different methods of creating webs.

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Can't get enough of ICanHasCheezburger? Then you're in luck because we're now on Instagram!

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