Perhaps you saw KMart's ads on TV hawking their sale on tents... No? People in sleeping bags are awakened as big, yellow--and--black--striped, tarantula--like spiders crawl over/on their heads. Yikes!
KMart wants you to purchase one of their tents: Spider protection...
Although I don't think these spiders are indiginous to The Pines, or to New Jersey, I can't think of any bigger "turn--off" with regard to "camping" --- period!
I can't say I really like spiders, but unlike Garfield, I don't attack them either. It was my hope that we could have a commensual relationship, but the little "blighters" seem to enjoy nibbling on my ankles, from time--to--time...
Small birds collect human hair, and even synthetic threads to strengthen and "upholster" their nests, and I've often wondered if they, likewise, collect spider web material for the same purpose(s)?
Spider webs and the material(s) they're made of has always intrigued me. The amount of engineering that goes into their making, and the various designs and uses of the web material never fails to amaze me. How do spiders know how to spin a web and make a "characteristic," species specific, web design? The simple answer is "animal instinct." What is "animal instinct"? Certainly it must be encoded in the animal's DNA --- somewhere in the genome, but where?
Now, scientists believe that, "The classic spider's web, ...was ["]invented["] just once, way back in the Cretaceous period some 136 million years ago...".
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/health_fitness/24hour/story/3316546p-12216926c.html
What about the trap--door spiders that use their web material to make the "trap doors" to their dwellings? Was that just a "spin--off"
of the classic spider's web?
What about the "tents" made by "tent caterpillars" --- are they made of the same materials? How do they differ?
Too bad we can't make the web material in industrial quantities: It would revolutionize the construction industry! Biopolymers are very interesting materials. Too bad we don't explore these areas more closely.
ebsi
KMart wants you to purchase one of their tents: Spider protection...
Although I don't think these spiders are indiginous to The Pines, or to New Jersey, I can't think of any bigger "turn--off" with regard to "camping" --- period!
I can't say I really like spiders, but unlike Garfield, I don't attack them either. It was my hope that we could have a commensual relationship, but the little "blighters" seem to enjoy nibbling on my ankles, from time--to--time...
Small birds collect human hair, and even synthetic threads to strengthen and "upholster" their nests, and I've often wondered if they, likewise, collect spider web material for the same purpose(s)?
Spider webs and the material(s) they're made of has always intrigued me. The amount of engineering that goes into their making, and the various designs and uses of the web material never fails to amaze me. How do spiders know how to spin a web and make a "characteristic," species specific, web design? The simple answer is "animal instinct." What is "animal instinct"? Certainly it must be encoded in the animal's DNA --- somewhere in the genome, but where?
Now, scientists believe that, "The classic spider's web, ...was ["]invented["] just once, way back in the Cretaceous period some 136 million years ago...".
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/health_fitness/24hour/story/3316546p-12216926c.html
What about the trap--door spiders that use their web material to make the "trap doors" to their dwellings? Was that just a "spin--off"
of the classic spider's web?What about the "tents" made by "tent caterpillars" --- are they made of the same materials? How do they differ?
Too bad we can't make the web material in industrial quantities: It would revolutionize the construction industry! Biopolymers are very interesting materials. Too bad we don't explore these areas more closely.
ebsi
