{"id":2340,"date":"2020-11-24T14:38:23","date_gmt":"2020-11-24T14:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/?p=2340"},"modified":"2021-08-05T20:02:08","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T20:02:08","slug":"do-tarantulas-make-a-web-youll-be-surprised","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/do-tarantulas-make-a-web-youll-be-surprised\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Tarantulas Make A Web? You’ll Be Surprised!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/i>Share<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/i>Pin<\/span><\/span><\/span>10<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/i>Reddit<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/i>Tweet<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/i>WhatsApp<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/i>Email<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
10 Shares<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas belong to a special group of spiders called Mygalomorphae<\/em>. Although they are not considered true spiders, they still have the ability to produce silk. The silk is produced, like with every spider, in special organs called spinnerets. We all know that spiders use that silk to make a web and catch prey. But do tarantulas make a web the same as true spiders do? In what way do they use silk? Or do they don’t use it at all? In this article, we will search for the answer to this interesting question. And you probably wouldn’t expect this answer! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Tarantula spider doesn’t use their silk to make a web as true spiders do. However, tarantulas use silk for many other methods to survive, such as structural support of burrows, make a hammock or carpet, and make lines to detect prey. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although tarantulas don’t make classical webs as true spiders do, they have developed many unexpected ways to use their silk-producing ability to thrive. I had some suspicion, but what I found was surprising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 ways tarantulas use webs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These giant spiders have developed interesting ways to use silk. Don’t think that they lost their ability to make webs; tarantulas just use it differently. Funny enough, as true spiders use webs, tarantulas don’t use it to catch prey with it. We can distinguish 7 ways in which they use their ‘sticky’ lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Structural support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas use webs to support and increase the strength of structures. When a tarantula digs a burrow, they cover al sides with a layer of silk. This layer supports that the burrow won’t collapse and makes it more durable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only terrestrial tarantulas use it in this way. Arboreal tarantula species construct a web between different objects to connect them, making it stronger. It prevents that objects will fall over when climbing on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carpeting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas cover the floor with a self-made carpet. Why they do this is not entirely sure. It is believed that tarantulas like it more to walk and rest on this soft carpet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climbing support and security measures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

They also use silk for climbing support. Tarantulas are quite heavy, but also rather delicate. When climbing, they can’t permit to fall. When a tarantula falls, it can damage its body or rapture its exoskeleton. This can threaten its survival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore tarantulas have safety measures. We already talked about carpeting and structural support. Another feature is that it gives them more grip and better ability to climb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another feature recently discovered is that tarantulas can produce silk in all eight feet. These silk-shooting legs are used to get a better grip when climbing slack surfaces. Tarantulas (including the terrestrial species) can even climb glass walls<\/a>. That’s pretty impressive with such bodyweight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moulting mat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some tarantulas make a moulting mat. A what? They make a carpet somewhere in the enclosure where they will moult on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moulting is a stressful and intense process for a tarantula. It costs a lot of energy. I can imagine a soft carpet to moult on will benefit this process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you see a tarantula building a mat in its enclosure, is a signal it will going to moult soon. Observe your tarantula closely; it’s beautiful to experience a live moult of a tarantula \u2014 although many of them prefer to moult at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funny enough, they don’t use a moulting mat twice. Normally they will make a new moulting mat with the next moult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detect prey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although they do not make a classical web to catch prey as true spiders do, they use silk lines to detect prey. Tarantula maybe has 8 eights, but their sight is very poor and limited. So they are depended on catching prey by sensing vibrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silk lines and webs transfer small vibration from its surroundings. When prey is close and causing vibration, a tarantula can quickly pinpoint its location and will strike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When (spot)cleaning the enclosure, try not to damage the web. Leave it be as good as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sperm web<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Male tarantulas make special web called ‘sperm web’ before they look for a female. He makes a web and then loads it up with sperm cells. When the web is finished, he uses the web to load moisture emboli with sperm cells. It is an interesting sight to see how a male makes a sperm web. In the video below, you’ll see the whole process of a tarantula making a sperm web. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n