Spiders are master engineers of the natural world, capable of producing one of the most remarkable materials known: silk.
From the moment they hatch, many species rely on this fine, flexible thread for survival—spinning webs to catch prey, wrapping food for later, or even drifting through the air in a process known as 'ballooning.'
What makes spider silk so extraordinary is not just its versatility, but its strength: weight for weight, it can rival steel while remaining incredibly lightweight and elastic.
How do spiders make silk?
All spiders make silk. Spider silk starts out in the silk glands as a watery gel of long protein chains that is funnelled down a gradually tapering tube.
As the tube narrows, coatings are applied to the mixture – to provide stickiness and water resistance – before it emerges through tiny spigots (devices that control the flow of liquid) on the spider’s spinnerets.
- What's the difference between spider silk and caterpillar silk?
- Is spider silk - pound for pound - as strong as steel?
The gel solidifies only when stretched, so rather than being squeezed out like toothpaste, it is pulled out by a motor-like valve in each spigot.
- What's the strongest material produced by animals?
- It's made from 1,500 tiny white feathers, bound together with spider silk and takes up to 3 weeks to construct
A battery of silk glands produces a wide array of fibres with different properties used for specific tasks – for instance, a dragline, snare, web support or egg case.
A spider’s silk is finer than human hair and can endure temperatures as low as -40°C.
Main image © Getty Images
