Page 40 - The Miracle in the Spider

40 THE MIRACLE IN THE SPIDER

Spiders, which wait in ambush on
their fragile webs and hide amidst
bushes, were created as real
killing machines. They can even
walk on water to hunt (right).
When necessary they can
construct a bell and even live
under water.

The Bell Spider's Diving Technique

The water spiders of the warm regions of Asia and Africa spend a lot
of their time under water, and so make their nests in the water.

In order to build its nest, the spider first of all constructs a platform
between plant stems or leaves in the water. It attaches the platform to the
stems with silk threads. These threads indicate to the spider the way back
to its home, stabilise the platform, and also work like radar, giving
warning of the approach of prey.
After constructing the platform, the spider carries air bubbles under
it with its legs and trunk. In this way the web swells upwards, and as

more air is added, it takes on the appearance of a bell. This "bell" is the
nest where the spider lives.