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spider web

zoology
Also known as: spiderweb

Quick Summary

While all spiders produce silk, only about half of the over 51,500 known species build webs to catch prey. Spider silk is stronger than steel by weight and is flexible enough to withstand wind and struggling prey. Spiders can create up to seven types of silk with varying strengths and stickiness.1

The four main types of spiderwebs are orb webs, sheet webs, tangle webs, and funnel webs. Orb webs, with their spiral patterns, are the most recognizable. Sheet webs are flat and dense, tangle webs are irregular and sticky, and funnel webs provide both a retreat and a snare. Orb weavers create iconic circular webs, which act like air filters for flying insects. These webs are often rebuilt daily and can be repaired if damaged.123

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