I have seen spider webs stretched between 2 trees or buildings that are 4-5 feet off the ground. How do they get that web across these two points?
2006-07-27 17:54:41 · 9 answers · asked by Danno 1 in Environment
Actually most of these answers are wrong but all are partially right. Spiders, lets say orb weavers for instance (I assume these are the ones you are talking about) produce two different types of strands. Some are known as bracing threads and others are the sticky catching threads. The bracing threadsare the ones that make up the structural part of the web, these are the connectors to both of the far points that you mentioned. These strands are not sticky, they are very strong, but will not stick to objects, try toughing one and you'll see, it is rather tough and flexible, like a guitar string, but they are not sticky. The spider will attach one end to one object, then they will either jump to the next or they will drop to the ground or some other surface and walk up the other surface to attach the other end. They do this several times, to secure the outside of the web. The they will do this from the middle outward to form the (spokes, like on a bike wheel). When traveling along the ground witht he bracing lines, they dont have to worry about it getting stuck on other objects, sometimes it gets snagged and they will either start all over again or backtrack and free the snag.
Once all of these structural threads are in place and the outside of the web is complete, they will lay down the sticky threads, these are all the tiny cross pieces that are attached between the "spokes" or radial lines. Try touching them and you'll see they will get stuck to your finger. It pretty cool!
Spiders are great little engineers!
I hope this answers your question, sorry it took so long!
2006-07-28 04:58:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
These answers are all close, but not right. Generally adult spiders are too heavy to balloon. The way the spider accomplishes this is to allow the silk to float on the wind as it produces it from the spinnerets. The silk attaches to the object and the spider is able to then cross to the object, while reinforcing the thread with another as it goes across.
2006-07-28 10:06:27 · answer #2 · answered by dr. d. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spider spins a connection to one side and then extends out to catch a breeze. Just like a kite it sails across the opening to start the first strand. Once there, it spins it's web by building one on another.
2006-07-28 01:00:11 · answer #3 · answered by odu83 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive seen a spider web that stretched about 10-15 feet
they kinda jump/fly with the wind to the other place they want to make their web
2006-07-28 02:17:02 · answer #4 · answered by ashtro_girl7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spiders are the original free base jumpers. They attach a silk line to an object and just jump. Also like most insects, they can crawl on many vertical surfaces.
2006-07-28 00:59:55 · answer #5 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they attatch the first thread to a tree or whatever, as long as they think they need it, and then jump, or let the wind blow them like a kite on the end of a string, till they reach another structure, then they attatch the other end, and they go from there.
2006-07-28 00:58:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will often let a breeze blow them to the second point. Once the first strand is in place, they use that.
2006-07-28 00:59:48 · answer #7 · answered by Brian V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
jump! with a tiny strand that they build up to make the anchor points.
2006-07-28 03:06:50 · answer #8 · answered by Mr Spock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they use the wind to get across initially. This technique is called "ballooning".
2006-07-28 01:12:26 · answer #9 · answered by stupididiot 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋