Wildlife - Summer, Autumn 2008

[mark smyth]

Michael you will have to watch. Spiders make a new web every night

[Martin Baxendale]

I'm not sure if the spider could get the grit up there and attach it deliberately to the web for tension. Isn't it possible that the spider attaches the lower part of the web to a piece of grit on the bench/plunge/top-dressing, as an anchorage point (not realising it's a loose bit of grit) and then as the web strands dry and contract, the grit is lifted into the air?

[ranunculus]

The answer must be on the Web...

[Michael J Campbell]

It probably is Cliff, but the spider doesn't know how to do the WWW yet

[Michael J Campbell]

Martin, it is possible but it never attaches the web to a pot or a plant , always uses grit. Would the web contract that much, 30cm?

[Michael J Campbell]

I think it drops down on a line,ties a piece of web round the grit, and then runs back up and pulls up the grit.

[Maggi Young]

Cliff, that is a frightful joke... I must fine you: send chocolate, please

Michael, we have spiders that seem to do this in our greenhouse, too.... like you, I also think they come down, wrap up a stone and then climb back up again. The grit is also usually about 30cms off the pots.
Very clever of them, however they do it, it enables them to have a steady web that is pretty much free-hanging in the middle of the greenhouse, with less anchorage to the roof and very little to the sides..... cunning indeed.

[Martin Baxendale]

I think it drops down on a line,ties a piece of web round the grit, and then runs back up and pulls up the grit.

I didn't realise the grit was so high off the nearest surface. You're right, of course 30cm up couldn't be down to web contraction - I thought it was just a few cm  up. I guess your idea would work - I hadn't thought of lifting it on threads like a crane! clever wee beastie!

[mark smyth]

well, because I only have sand in my green house they dont seem to use it but I will have a closer look tomorrow. I usually just walk in waving my hands in a techno stylee to knock them down.

While talking about webs has anyone seen the size of the webs made by golden orb spiders in South Africa. Gives me the creeps just talking about it.

[mark smyth]

Martin do you see the multiple strands radiating out to hold the grit?

[Martin Baxendale]

Martin do you see the multiple strands radiating out to hold the grit?

Yes, I can see that now, especially in the last pic. Does indeed look like the wee beastie prepared it for lifting. Amazing.

[mark smyth]

ahhh, my second favourite dog. Do you realise how much walking a Weimerana needs? Two people in my town walk theirs by going for a ride on their bicycles at speed without leads! The dogs very gracefully run along side

[Slug Killer]

I have two Weimeraner's and sleep well every night, three walks a day and I'm knackered. I tried the bike thing will the lead attached to the handle bars but they had very different ideas on which direction we should be going. Mother is getting on a bit at thirteen, and her daughter is six.

[Slug Killer]

Mark

What's your first favourite dog out of interest?

Dave

[mark smyth]

Black Lab