Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Don_1 on 06/10/2009 14:31:34

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Don_1 on 06/10/2009 14:31:34

Can you spot what is wrong with this picture of an orb spider in its web waiting for prey and explain why its wrong?

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Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Nizzle on 06/10/2009 16:22:51

The spider was on Cannabis when making the web?
Even more bizarre webs can be observed when the spider has been put on a "diet" of cocaine, speed, heroin, ..

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Don_1 on 06/10/2009 16:28:11

Erm, no, I don't think this spider was 'high' on anything but its web. Nor had it been irradiated or had the L'Oreal treatment. (It wasn't worth it!)

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: LeeE on 06/10/2009 16:43:19

I thought that orb spiders tended not to sit at the center of their webs whilst waiting for prey.  It makes them too conspicuous to predators, so they tend to sit at the edge of the web instead.

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Don_1 on 06/10/2009 16:55:33

Nope. This is a common garden spider. They are usually found in the middle of their web.

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Don_1 on 06/10/2009 17:04:15

Here's another, with the same problem.

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Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Don_1 on 09/10/2009 16:51:39

Nobody got it yet???

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: RD on 09/10/2009 18:51:44

Shouldn't the spiders be head down, rather than looking skyward  ?, (i.e. pictures are upside-down).

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Don_1 on 09/10/2009 20:23:53

You got it RD.

So does anyone know why spiders sit head down in their web?

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: RD on 10/10/2009 02:20:40

Quote from: Don_1 on 09/10/2009 20:23:53

So does anyone know why spiders sit head down in their web?

Cos they don't make Ray-Bans (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray-Ban) small enough ?.  [:)]

Edit: "John Lennon" sun-glasses are apparently available in spider size ...

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/18841727@N02/2052978507/

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Geezer on 10/10/2009 03:15:19

er, well, um, maybe so they can drop on a silk thread released from their abdomen if they need to make a speedy exit or drop onto their prey?

Title: What's wrong here?
Post by: Don_1 on 10/10/2009 09:00:47

Quote from: DiscoverDave on 10/10/2009 05:54:31

To keep from fainting?

I think that the "John Lennon" sun-glasses spider from RD is one of those jumping spiders I admire so much.

I hope you admire them from a considerable distance!

Most spiders have poor vision, could this be a factor in their habit of facing down?