Story: Spiders and other arachnids

Producing silk

Producing silk

Silk is the trademark of spiders. It is produced as a liquid within special glands in the abdomen. The spider uses its leg as a comb and pulls the liquid out through tiny spigots on the spinnerets, so the molecules realign into a line of silk. This is a native orb-web spider.

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Photograph by Simon Pollard

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How to cite this page:

Simon Pollard, 'Spiders and other arachnids - Webs', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12707/producing-silk (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Simon Pollard, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 14 Mar 2024