We take a look at just how spiders make their silk. Did you know they can make different fibre strengths for different tasks? <\/p>
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 \u2013 to provide stickiness and water resistance \u2013 before it emerges through tiny spigots (devices that control the flow of liquid) on the spider\u2019s spinnerets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A battery of silk glands produces a wide array of fibres with different properties used for specific tasks \u2013 for instance, a dragline, snare, web support or egg case.<\/p>\n A spider\u2019s silk is finer than human hair and can endure temperatures as low as -40\u00b0C.<\/span><\/p>\n\n