When people refer to a “spider’s nest,” they are often curious about the structures spiders create for shelter, reproduction, or the protection of their offspring. These structures can vary significantly in appearance, from delicate silken enclosures to more robust, camouflaged dwellings. This article explores the diverse visual forms that spider-built structures can take.
Understanding “Spider Nest” Terminology
While the term “spider nest” is commonly used, it can lead to confusion. Spiders do not build nests like birds for permanent habitation or raising young. Instead, spiders create various silk structures for specific functions, such as catching prey, providing temporary shelter, or safeguarding eggs. The structures often referred to as “nests” in a biological context are typically egg sacs or retreats, distinct from the webs spiders spin for hunting.
The Appearance of Spider Egg Sacs
Spider egg sacs are perhaps the most common structures people associate with a “spider nest,” as they are designed to protect developing spiderlings. These sacs are made from silk and vary widely in visual attributes depending on the spider species. Their shapes can range from spherical, oval, disc-like, pear-shaped, or irregular. Some may resemble a squishy pillow or a fluffy mass of silk, while others can be spiky or have a teardrop shape.
The size of an egg sac is typically proportional to the spider that produced it, often ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Colors are diverse, commonly including white, cream, beige, yellow, light brown, or gray, and can sometimes appear green or mottled. The texture of these sacs also varies, from smooth or papery to fluffy, bumpy, or tough. Some spiders incorporate debris, leaves, or soil into the silk for camouflage.
Spider Retreats and Shelters
Beyond egg sacs, spiders construct various retreats and shelters for living, hiding, molting, or avoiding predators and harsh weather. These structures are primarily made of silk, sometimes incorporating environmental materials.
Silk-lined burrows are common for ground-dwelling spiders like trapdoor spiders and wolf spiders. The entrance to a trapdoor spider’s burrow might feature a hinged “door” made of soil and twigs, expertly camouflaged and lined with silk for stability. These burrows can extend vertically into the ground, with the silk lining providing a secure and stable environment.
Tubular retreats appear as silk tubes often found in corners, under objects, or within foliage. Funnel web spiders create a funnel-shaped silk retreat that serves as their dwelling and often has trip lines extending from its entrance to detect prey. Sheet web spiders build horizontal sheets of silk, often with a dense, tubular retreat at the edge where the spider hides during the day. Other spiders may construct shelters by folding leaves together with silk or incorporating debris, twigs, and plant fibers for camouflage and protection.
Where to Find Different Nests
The location of a spider’s structure provides clues about its type and the species that built it. Spider egg sacs are frequently found in sheltered, undisturbed areas, often attached to webs, the undersides of leaves, or within crevices. Some spiders, like wolf spiders, carry their spherical egg sacs attached to their spinnerets, while others, such as daddy-long-legs spiders, hold their egg bundles in their jaws. Egg sacs can also be suspended on lines of silk or hidden among foliage.
Spider burrows and ground retreats are typically found in soil, under rocks, or within logs. Trapdoor spiders and burrowing wolf spiders dig vertical burrows in the ground, often in sandy soil.
Aerial retreats, including many web-based shelters, are common in corners of rooms, attics, sheds, dense vegetation, or on tree bark. Sheet webs, with their associated retreats, are often observed in grassy areas or between branches. Some spiders integrate their shelters directly into larger web structures, using the web for hunting and refuge.