The cobweb is a special secret of the cobweb glands, which has the excellent property of hardening soon after release. The frozen secret forms the very spider webs, which, in turn, fold into a cobweb - an integral part of the life of many representatives of the class of arachnids (spiders, ticks, false scorpions).
How do spiders weave webs?
It all starts with the formation of a special secret, which is produced by numerous spider glands, cleverly hidden inside the spider's abdomen. The ducts of these glands open with very small spinning tubes located at the end of special arachnoid warts. For example, crosses have a number of such tubes from 500 to 600.
The liquid viscous secretion produced by these glands is made up of protein. The amazing ability of this secret is to solidify almost instantly in the air in the form of the finest threads. Spiders weave a web in a special way: they press their warts to a special substrate, after which a small part of the secret that is released at this moment freezes, sticking to the spider itself.
Further, this "builder" begins to draw a viscous secret already from the cobweb tubes with the help of its hind legs. When the spider begins to move from one place of fixing the web to another, then its liquid secret simply stretches along its length, turning into hardened threads. And then - dexterity of paws and mastery of geometry!
Why does a spider need its web?
The purposes for which spiders weave their threads are very diverse. The most common reasons for constructing webs are shelter for building cocoons, trapping nets for prey, and temporary shelter during molting or during some adverse environmental conditions. More on this below.
Many species of spiders generally braid the walls of their burrows with their secret. Egg cocoons, in which eggs develop with future young spiders, are also woven from liquid spiderweb secrets, and sticky trapping nets skillfully woven by these craftsmen serve as a safe option for hunting their favorite prey. It is curious that, depending on the goals pursued, the spider secretes both a sticky and a dry secret of a certain thickness. This is another unique feature of this class of animals.
The chemical composition of the spider web
Zoologists, together with biologists, investigated the spider's secret and came to the conclusion that its chemical composition and physical properties are surprisingly close to the silk of silkworms and caterpillars. The only difference is that the web is a much stronger and more elastic substance.
Who else weaves the web?
This prerogative is inherent in spider mites and false scorpions. It is worth noting that, unlike spiders, they do not show real skill in this difficult matter. Only spiders have the unique ability to masterfully create their webs. After all, it is necessary to be able not only to skillfully create a web, but also to produce it in huge quantities, which so far only spiders can do.
