Why don't spiders get stuck to their own webs?
Spiders spin sticky webs to help them catch bugs, which is what they eat. (Yum!) But if bugs get caught in the sticky threads of a web, then why doesn't the spider itself get stuck too?!
The answer is that not every strand of a spider's web is sticky, and when a spider builds its web, it keeps in mind which strands are the sticky ones and which are not. Then, when the spider needs to walk across its web, it just makes sure to put its feet on only the strands it won't get stuck to!
Occasionally, a spider will accidentally step on one of the sticky parts of the web, but because it has seven other legs, the little critter is able to free itself easily by balancing the rest of its legs on the non-sticky threads and pulling the other leg free!
Exploration
Make your own spider!
Using just an egg carton, some pipe cleaners, and your imagination, you can make your very own arts & crafts spider! Cut the bottom part of an old egg carton up so that you have groups of two sections that are stuck together. Turn it upside down so that the bumps are facing up, and this will become the body of your spider! Attach pipe-cleaner legs (4 on each side!) and then use your imagination to make your spider's face! If you have some googly-eyes, you can glue those on, or your can use paint, markers, or even small buttons!
