What is the web, and why do spiders weave it

What is a cobweb can be clearly understood by every person. It is unlikely that there will be anyone who would not have encountered in the forest or in their own house with similar "laces". However, in everyday life, people usually do not think much about how spiders do it. And the purposes of creating networks are usually people in a very truncated version. In this spiderweb can be considered one of the most amazing and mysterious natural phenomena.

What is the web, and how is it done

Spiders are the only creatures with special glands that are capable of secreting a fluid of incredible composition. It almost instantly hardens when it comes in contact with the air - there is not much time for a spider to woven from it. And the secret is two types. One so-called dry - from it the basis of "lace" is created. The second has increased stickiness - the spider processes its creation to ensure that the insect that touched it could not get out of the trap.

What are networks for?

Having understood what a web is, we will understand what goals it creates. Contrary to common misconceptions spider "laces" are used not only for hunting, although this is the prevailing task. However, there are others.

1. From the web are cocoons, in which the spider lays its eggs.
2. It is wrapped up in mining for storage.
3. Wintering is built from the networks; Those of the spiders that survive the cold in the earth burrows make a very witty door-cover that covers the entrance.
4. Entered at the time of mating, the female signals this to potential partners and indicates the path to itself with the help of a thread impregnated with pheromones.
5. Young individuals of individual species move to new hunting grounds on a long string, carried away by the wind.

So the web is a very important and multifunctional part of the life of the Arachnids.

Curious facts

The web is still not fully understood by scientists. But modern science can not repeat this natural phenomenon yet.

1. The web of the spider is just an amazing fortress. If we weave such a network with a square with a football field, it will be able to stop the flying Boeing. In South America, there are cobweb bridges, through which monkeys pass through the gorges, and in New Guinea, fish are caught by webs of cobwebs.
2. Spiderman "lace" has electrostatic properties, which allows its threads to rush to flying past the prey.
3. Many spiders eat their old nets.
4. The web is almost the lightest material in the world: if you stretch it along the entire equator, it would weigh only 340 grams.