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Why are Orb Web Spider Webs
Shaped like that?
Photo: G. Bradley
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UK
Safari Tip:
To help you identify house and garden spiders there's a beautifully
illustrated fold out chart in the Nature Shop - click
here
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Orb web spiders are so called because they produce an almost circular web which has radial supports, and a spiral of silk running from the centre around to the outside edge.
There are approximately 5,000 spiders in the world which spin these kind of webs. Spiders which create more irregular shaped webs seem to catch just as much food, so scientists don't really understand why orb web spiders go to the trouble of producing these
almost perfectly round webs.
Most likely they are built this way for strength and longevity. Producing all that silk puts quite a
strain on the spiders energy, so naturally the spider will want the web to last a long time. When an insect flies into the web, the impact
needs to be absorbed by the radial threads. By making the web almost symmetrical the force is distributed more evenly through the web, and making the web less likely to tear.
What is a Spider?
How do Spiders Spin Webs?
Is This a Deadly Spider?
Flying Spiders!
UK Safari Spider Section
Spiders
of Britain and N. Europe
The ultimate field guide to spiders. A must for all arachnophiles everywhere.
Superbly illustrated.
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