Spider Silk of Madagascar
The smaller things in life can hold strength and beauty. Spiders are one of those things in nature that have much to offer.
Spiders create incredibly intricate circular shaped webs that are very strong and flexible. Around 2009 scientists discovered spiders in Madagascar that weaved webs across streams, rivers, and lakes, throwing web lines that reach up to 25 meters. Named as the Darwin Bark Spider, they are now known to be the largest orb-web makers.
The fascinating video clip from the BBC shows the spider at work.
Replicating Nature
Nature is a great resource for knowledge and the study of spider silk has uncovered some interesting finds. Spider silk is known to hold many properties that have applicable uses across industries. Bioscientists are particularly interested in replicating silks characteristics and develop them into synthetic forms.
Beauty in Silk
Woven silk can be made into clothing and has been for centuries. Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley made a beautifully embroidered lady’s cape, woven out of spider silk from the Golden Orb Spider Nephila from Madagascar.
The cape broke a Guinness World Record in 2011.