Short Wave FACT SMACK: Spider Edition
Jan 29, 2021
Join spider scientist Sebastian Echeverri, who specializes in jumping spiders and holds a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, as he makes the case for why spiders reign supreme in the animal kingdom. Discover how these fascinating creatures can travel thousands of kilometers by 'ballooning' and even live underwater! Sebastian and the host also marvel at spiders' adaptability to extreme environments like Mount Everest, highlighting their incredible resilience and crucial role in ecosystems.
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Spider Habitats
- Spiders live everywhere, from the intertidal zone to the slopes of Mount Everest.
- The Himalayan jumping spider is a permanent resident at 22,000 feet.
Underwater Spiders
- Some spiders live part-time underwater, in both seawater and freshwater.
- The diving bell spider creates an underwater air dome to breathe.
Spider Ballooning
- Many spiders can "balloon" by releasing silk into the wind, traveling hundreds or thousands of kilometers.
- They may also use Earth's electric field to fly.