Spider silk is a protein fibre spun by spiders. Spiders use their silk to make webs or other structures, which function as nets to catch other animals, or as nests or cocoons for protection for their offspring. They can also suspend themselves using their silk.
Many small spiders use silk threads for ballooning, the popular, though technically inaccurate, scientific term for the dynamic kiting spiderlings (mostly) use for dispersal. They extrude several threads into the air and let themselves be carried away by winds. Although most rides will end a few yards later, it seems to be a common way for spiders to invade islands. Many sailors have reported that spiders have been caught in their ship's sails, even when far from land. The extremely fine silk used by spiders for ballooning is known as gossamer.
In some cases, spiders may even use silk as a source of food.
Methods have been developed to silk a spider forcibly.
Read more about Spider Silk: Biosynthesis, Artificial Synthesis, Research Milestones, Human Uses, Attempts At Producing Synthetic Spider Silk
Famous quotes containing the words spider and/or silk:
““Will you walk into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly;
“‘Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many pretty things to show when you are there.””
—Mary Howitt (1799–1888)
“A single strand of silk does not make a thread, nor a single tree a forest.”
—Chinese proverb.