Scuba Spiders

Spider silk, renowned for its toughness, has recently been shown to have an unusual use—at least for one eight-legged wonder.

The water spider (Argyroneta aquatica) is able to use air collected on its abdomen so that it can spend long periods of time underwater.

A water spider, which spends most of its life underwater, spins something like a scuba tank. This spider can trap air bubbles from the water’s surface and store the air in a silk membrane, where the carbon dioxide is diffused out. This gear allows the spider to remain submerged for lengthy periods of time.

This remarkable spider shouts the wisdom of its Designer.