Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: paul.fr on 19/05/2007 20:37:45

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: paul.fr on 19/05/2007 20:37:45

Is there a reason why can't spiders climb out of a bath?

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: kdlynn on 20/05/2007 03:41:10

they can't? cool

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: another_someone on 20/05/2007 03:55:08

Don't know - was not at all aware that they could not - on the contrary, I never had any impression that they had any problem doing so (again, may vary with species, with maybe the bigger species having more problems climbing out).

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: paul.fr on 20/05/2007 06:42:32

It's something i have always "known"! I have heard it repeated on insect / arachnid shows on TV, they always tell you to leave a towel on the bath so the spiders can use it to climb out.

That just tells me to always hang towels up!

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: Bored chemist on 20/05/2007 10:10:46

Spiders get caught in the bath because the sides are steep and slippery.
There are a number of solutions to the problem. Here's one.
http://www.foundationtv.co.uk/brilliantcreatures/ser4/spiderladder.html

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: kdlynn on 21/05/2007 06:02:37

personally i'd rather leave it in there so i can find it and kill it! i don't want to help it get out and roam my house!

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: lyner on 21/05/2007 16:00:36

Spiders just didn't have to deal with slippery enamel baths whilst they were evolving. The same applies to mice and for the same reason. They were all too busy surviving to look ahead that far.
But can we be totally SURE that no spiders have ever escaped?  Were we there all the time?

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: Bored chemist on 21/05/2007 20:25:23

Spiders are cheaper than fly spray.

Title: Why can't spiders climb out of a bath?
Post by: another_someone on 21/05/2007 20:50:11

I can only imagine that some people must put quite a shine on their bath tubs.  Probably find it is so slippery that you will slip as you try and climb in or out the bath, and crack you skull open - not only spiders who don't like ultra slippery baths.