Is a Spider's Web a Part of Its Mind? | Deep Look

Orb weaver spiders build exquisite spiral webs not only to catch insects, but to extend their senses. Once they shrink-wrap their prey with silk, the nearly blind spiders can store them for later, and read their web's strands as a kind of memory map to guide them back.


DEEP LOOK is an ultra-HD (4K) wildlife and nature series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.

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The more than 48,000 spider species create a wide variety of web styles. There are over 4,000 different species of orb weaver spiders alone; these are the eight-legged spinners that create the famous spiral-shaped webs.

Anyone who’s watched orb weavers in action has seen them use their exquisite creations to deftly ensnare flying insects. Impressive as this, the webs function as much more than deadly traps.

Webs play an integral role in everything an orb weaver does. When spiders are hungry, they can tighten the web’s strands and even adjust its size and shape, depending on what size of prey they’re in the mood for. These species are only able to see light, dark and a little movement, but they are somehow able to quickly navigate their webs, pinpointing their unlucky victims and binding them in silk, a meal saved for later.

Because they can do so much with such tiny brains, some researchers think orb weavers use their webs as a form of extended cognition, outsourcing advanced mental tasks like problem-solving and memory. For example, once they have killed and wrapped their prey, a spider can store it for later, then easily find it again. They don’t need to remember every single thread they have spun — just a few previous steps. By using their webs to do some of their thinking for them, orb weavers may be preserving precious brain power for other necessary and complex tasks like capturing prey.

--- Where do orb weavers spiders live?

Orb weaver species live everywhere on planet earth except for Antarctica and the Arctic. As long as there is abundant food (i.e. insects) and a place to build their web, you are likely to find an orb weaver.

--- What other kinds of spider webs are there besides orb webs?

In addition to the signature spiral-shaped designs made by orb weavers, spider webs come in various other styles, such as tangles (aka cobwebs), funnels and sheets.

---+ Read the entire article on KQED Science:

---+ For more information:

The work of Thomas Hesselberg

Hilton Japyassú’s work on extended cognition in spiders

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#orbweaverspiders #spiders #spiderwebs

[ninascript]

"Though is has eight eyes it's practically blind"
*Me with glasses, still struggling to see* : "Same, little spider, same"

[DWchan]

You're gonna drop "It's a map of the spiders mind" and then just up and end the episode like that? Not even gonna hint at how we managed to figure that one out? D: yallll.

[eszterh.]

Random fact that is probably not important to you: I have a tiny spider who I rescued from our bathroom and I named it Pepsi. We feed him ants and I love him :)

Update: Pepsi is doing great and has shed his skin 2 times I think! He is a big boi now! Also I found another spider at the exact same spot that he was in! I think I'm going to name that one Arachne :)

Sad update: After about half a year together, Pepsi passed away. I just went to feed him, and he was dead. I think he died because of old age, but I'm really sad. Arachne is gone too, although they died a few weeks after I started feeding them. I hope they rest in piece.

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
― Lao Tzu

[IL_]

Logic brain: Spiders are so fascinating and they're usually pretty vital to our environment for insect control

Instinct brain: run ruN RUN AWAY BIG CRAWLY SCARY

[Dhyamal]

YOGA: experience beyond your physical body
Spider: hold my web and mind

[brogleyorwp]

"Spider silk is mainly made of protein" i think we found our new energy drink ingredient

[yuuwee]

6 in the morning guess staying up all night doing work rewarded me with this video

[MoTownMoe]

“Touches Brown Recluse Web”

Recluse: *I’m fast asf BOI*

[tetlamed]

"It's a map of the spider's memories" — You can't just say something like this then keep us hanging!!! Who's research? What did they find?

[joinmeforasmile]

Now I feel bad for every spider I separated from their net to get them out of my room.. :/

[sarcasm-]

The web is also an extension of my mind... Internet goes out and I immediately feel completely lost.

[yomommasofatthanoshadtosna]

This channel is so underrated! Man, look at how much effort they put in their videos! Keep it up guys!

[sarcasm-]

On a summer cabin just month ago I was photographing a very nice looking web that had the sun hit it just right, with dark foliage behind so it could be shot nicely, when a mosquito kept bothering me. Swung my hand at it in the general direction of the web... it hit the web and immediately the spider in the middle pounced it and started rolling it into it's personal kebab.

Not gonna lie, while it was fascinating to see, I felt sorry for the mosquito a little D:

[erdieaquino]

3:03 looks like coating a package in bubble wrap.. 😂😂😂

[simplebeansprout]

The amount of time i got creeps and shivers up my spine while watching this but i kept watching because it's deep look 😬YES😌

[chineseduckscriedinladakh]

"though it has 8 eyes it's practically blind..."
Me: I have 2 fully functional eyes, and still I can't find my pair of socks in morning...

[simone]

There are at least three little garden spiders from outside the window of my home office with webs built on the leaves of an areca palm.
Such fascinating creatures. It's a real treat watching what they do. Thank you for this superb and highly interesting video.

[jacobsimmons]

I really can't get enough of this stuff. Thank you Deep Look!

[annecastilho]

I can’t stop saying how fascinating your channel is. Congratulations.