How ballooning works for spiders: They can't fly, but they can float

While spiders cannot fly in the traditional sense like birds or insects with wings, some species of spiders are capable of a behavior known as "ballooning" that allows them to travel through the air. 

Ballooning is a form of dispersal where spiders use silk threads to catch the wind and be carried aloft, sometimes covering long distances.

Here's how ballooning works.

Spiderling Stage

Ballooning is primarily observed in spiderlings, which are young spiders that have recently hatched. 

Spiderlings are often small and lightweight, making them more susceptible to wind currents.

Silk Production

When spiderlings are ready to disperse, they climb to an elevated spot, extend their abdomen into the air, and release silk threads from their spinnerets. 

The silk is extremely light and acts as a sail.

Airborne Travel

As wind currents catch the silk threads, they lift the spiderlings into the air, carrying them away from their original location. 

The spiderlings can be carried over long distances, sometimes even crossing oceans.

Landing

When the spiderlings have traveled far enough or the wind weakens, they release additional silk threads or drop to the ground to settle in a new area. 

This is how they disperse to find new habitats and avoid overcrowding in their birthplace.
 

• Related news:
• spiders
• animal facts
• nature
• adaptation
• 25 July 2023

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