12 Silky Spiderwebs-Low

Silky Spiderwebs FOCUS Question How do spiders use webs to survive?

Why Webs? A spider spins a web. It climbs onto the middle of the web, stretches out its eight legs, and waits. What is it waiting for? Dinner! Spiders are invertebrates, or animals without backbones. All spiders are predators that eat insects such as flies, ants, and moths. To catch their prey, spiders build webs. A web can also be a safe home for a spider and its eggs. Different kinds of spiders make different kinds of webs. Each web is perfect for helping the spider catch food in its environment.

Spider Silk Spiders build webs using a stretchy, strong material called silk They make silk. using special body parts called spinnerets. Most spiders have more than one kind of spinneret. Each kind makes a different type of silk. Strong silk holds the web together. Sticky silk traps insects. Soft silk keeps eggs safe. Wowser! Spider silk is thin but strong. It is stronger by weight than steel!

Orb Webs When you imagine a spiderweb, you probably picture one with a round or spiral shape. This type of web is called an orb. Orb weaver spiders build orb webs to catch flying insects. The silk is so thin that insects cannot see it. They fly into the web and get stuck to its sticky silk. These spiders like high spots next to open spaces where lots of insects fly. They build webs in trees, bushes, and tall grass, especially near water. Yellow garden spiders and golden orb weavers are two kinds of spiders that make these round webs.

Building an Orb Web An orb weaver spider finds a high, open space and lets out a light silk thread Wind carries the silk thread downwind. The silk thread catches on a branch. The spider walks across it and lets out a longer thread that forms a U-shape. The spider attaches a thread from the bottom of the U to another branch. The spider adds more silk threads to finish the frame of the web. The spider moves to the center of the web and builds a spiral shape of sticky silk. The spider may make a "decoration" in the center where it waits for its next meal.

Funnels and Tunnels Some spiders build funnel-shaped webs. This kind of web is great for catching crawling insects such as ants. The wide end of the funnel spreads out to form a flat open "floor." The spider hides in the narrow tube. Special threads stretch from the floor to the spider's hiding spot. The threads are not sticky, so they can't trap an insect. Instead, when an insect steps on these threads, the spider feels it. Quick as a flash, it grabs the insect. Look for funnel webs in low spots, such as dense grass, fallen leaves, or piles of stones.