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Journal of Experimental Biology 116,141-151 (1985)
Published by Company of Biologists 1985

Mechanical Properties and Factors of Safety of Spider Drag-lines

A. BRANDWOOD 1

1 Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, Baines Wing, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT; Department of Materials Technology, Brunei University, Uxbndge, UB8 3PH

Experiments were carried out to determine the strain energy capacity and breaking strain of spider drag-line silk. These properties are discussed in terms of a mathematical model of a spider falling on a drag-line. It was found that the strain energy capacity of the drag-line was in sufficient to absorb the potential energy lost by a falling spider and that in order to avoid failure of the drag-line the spider dissipates energy by other means, particularly by using itsinertia to draw drag-line silk from its spinnerets.

Key words: Safety factors, spider drag-lines, spider silk, Meta segmentata

Accepted on September 10, 1984






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1985