Many people are afraid of spiders.
And that’s such a shame.
Because – at least in this part of the world – spiders aren’t scary at all.
They are artists. Gifted weavers. Silent alchemists.
If you take the time to truly look at how a spider spins something from nothing, you’ll find it hard not to be amazed.
Rainbow Wizard
It’s a piece of art, made with technical skills, we wouldn’t even master if our lives depended on it.
The material is extremely light weight, (relatively) stronger than steel and even the brightest scientist are still puzzled about this ingenious formula, they just can’t seem to crack. And the spider makes it with it’s own body and even recycles it!
But besides the technical aspects: have you really SEEN the beauty? This combination of perfectly balanced structure, combined with a nice amount of creative freedom? Did you ever notice how this spider silk is able to catch the sun light and translate it into countless beautiful colors…?
So…if you ever stumble upon (or worst; step on) a spider again, starting to think..’Eew a bug….!’
Then realize that you just met a wizard. And a highly artistic one!
Spider facts
Nature’s Pest Control
Spiders play a vital role in our ecosystems. In the Netherlands alone, they consume insects weighing 180 times the total weight of the human population. Without them, our homes and gardens would be overrun by flies, mosquitoes, lice, and mites.
Masters of Sustainability
Weaving a web requires lots of protein, and a web doesn’t last forever.
As it ages, it loses its stickiness. So what does the spider do? It eats its old web, recycles the silk, and spins a new one. True zero-waste living.
Stronger Than Steel
Spider silk is often said to be, pound for pound, stronger than steel and more durable than Kevlar. If humans could produce this material, it might revolutionize everything from bridge cables to lightweight bulletproof vests. A small downside? Spider silk shrinks when wet, so rain could make your bulletproof vest a little too snug.
Spider Silk: The Human Obsession
In our quest to mimic nature’s genius, scientists have tried to “milk” spiders for their silk.
So far, not very successful. But it shows just how envious we are of their natural abilities.
Leaping Legends
Jumping spiders can leap up to fifty times their body length.
For a human, that would be nearly 100 meters!
They do this not with pure muscle, but by suddenly increasing blood pressure in their legs.
Flying Spiders?
Some spiders have been found floating at altitudes of up to 10 kilometers!
But spiders can’t fly. Instead, young spiders use a fine silk thread – known as a ballooning or kiting – to catch the wind and glide like living kites. Hammock spiders are particularly skilled at this aerial trick.
Carnivores, Big and Small
Most spiders feed on insects, but a few take it a step further. Some species prey on lizards, birds, even mice.
The Australian red-headed mouse spider has been known to tackle scorpions and even bandicoots!
Air-Breathing Swimmers
Thanks to water-repellent hairs, spiders trap a layer of air around their bodies, allowing them to float and even survive underwater for hours. Tiny submarines in the form of arachnids.
Blood of a Different Color
Spider blood isn’t red. It’s light blue. Our blood gets its red hue from iron-rich hemoglobin.
Spiders use hemocyanin, which contains copper and turns blue when exposed to air.
Eight Eyes, Limited Vision
Most spiders have eight eyes, but that doesn’t mean great eyesight.
They rely more on vibrations in their webs.
An exception? Jumping spiders.
They have sharp vision and even respond to their own reflections, sometimes startling photographers in the process.
Ever wondered how a spider spins a web between two trees?
Find out here: Squirting, Spinning, Spitting & Swallowing Spiders
