eli5: How do spiders get that single web between 2 objects so taught, the ones that you get in your face when walking through parked cars or trees?

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Do they shoot webs out of their butt like a grappling hook?

Do they set one side then crawl down the object and up another and slurp up the access web?

Do they all have portal guns?

Are they wizard ninjas?

In: Other

5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

If the two anchor points are too far to reasonably climb, they let the wind carry a thin leader thread across the gap and then reel it back in so it’s taught. Then they use that lead to carry a much thicker and stronger thread across the gap and anchor a web.

If the anchor points aren’t that far, they can just drag the anchor fiber over manually.

Anonymous 0 Comments

> Do they set one side then crawl down the object and up another?

Yes.

> and slurp up the access web?

No, they just go around the object a few times to get the string tightened. Or they stick the string onto the second object, and then they just go to the first again. Once the web is woven, they eat the excess material.

Anonymous 0 Comments

I like your theories. I know some of them can shoot a web/line pretty far. Others can shoot a web that they use as a parachute to sail to another location leaving a line behind they can later use. Other than that I am not sure.

But basically some spiders can fly/sail… scary thought lol

Anonymous 0 Comments

They can catch and ride the wind. I’ve been paddling on rivers and have seen a single thread stretched across the whole thing. Then they climb along the strand to the other side, and repeat. It’s fucking incredible

Anonymous 0 Comments

ELI5 How do spiders decide which place to craft spider webs?
byu/freshp_hil inexplainlikeimfive

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