Spiders Listen with Their Webs

A new study revealed that orb-weaving spiders use their webs as “extended auditory rays to capture sounds.” This ability could warn the spiders of incoming prey or predators. In the experiments, spiders in their webs responded to vibrations by turning, crouching, or flattening out.

While spiders wouldn’t have preyed on insects (or been insects’ prey) before the fall, their listening skills serve them well in a fallen world. This ability could have been employed for a different purpose prior to the curse, but regardless, it makes us marvel at the amazing designs God has created.

This article is from Answers magazine, October–December, 2022, p. 18.