Sonoran Desert

Try This

Spider Web Patterns

What it does

This experiment lets you observe and compare the geometry of different spider webs.

What you need

• brightly colored enamel spray paint
• hair spray
• scissors
• sturdy white paper

What to do

1. Find some spider webs. The best time to look is early in the morning.
2. Make sure the spider is gone before you begin. Then, spray the web with the spray paint.
3. Spray a piece of paper with hair spray, then push it up against the wet web.
4. While holding the paper against the web, cut away the supporting strands.
5. Lay the paper out to dry.
6. Repeat steps 1-4 with as many webs as you can find.
7. When all the webs are dry, compare their shapes. Do they all have the same geometric design, or are they different, like snowflakes?

What it's all about

All spiders of the same species build the same webs, but spiders from different species build different webs. Web building is instinctive for spiders. Baby spiders are born knowing how to design their webs. No one has to teach them how to do it.

Remember, be sure you have a parent, teacher, or other adult help you!

Spiders aren't insects, they're arachnids—a group of creepy crawlies that walk on eight legs. Arizona's arachnids include tarantulas and scorpions.
Read about them.

So what exactly is a species?
Read about it.