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Spider Webs

Ormiston

Well-Known Member
I've noticed a whole lot of spiders lately around my home and work. I love them. They kill the flying insects that I detest and I like the way they look on their webs. I find it truly amazing that spiders instinctually know how to build webs and the similarity in the design of the webs is equally amazing. I was hoping someone could explain the biological process and physiology involved with "instinct". Also, are there any similar instinctual behaviors in humans?
 

Buttercup

Veteran Member
Ormiston said:
I was hoping someone could explain the biological process and physiology involved with "instinct". Also, are there any similar instinctual behaviors in humans?
Well, you know how some insects kill their mate after they do the deed.....like praying mantis and black widow spiders? Well, sometimes I have that same instinct pop into my mind toward my husband. Does that count? :D
 

Ormiston

Well-Known Member
Buttercup said:
Well, you know how some insects kill their mate after they do the deed.....like praying mantis and black widow spiders? Well, sometimes I have that same instinct pop into my mind toward my husband. Does that count? :D

:biglaugh: Great example!
 

kreeden

Virus of the Mind
Actually , I believe that there is a debate in the science world over just what " instinct " is . Some would class emotions and such as instinctive , while others claim that " higher animals " don't really have " instincts ".

Never really got into it myself . But I believe that most agree that emotions , sex drive , some types of relaxes , are considered " instinctive ". The thing is , so called " higher animals " can usually over-come their instincts , use logic or whatever , to do what they desire ...
 

nutshell

Well-Known Member
A lot of what we call instinct is the preprogrammed result of detecting chemicals.

A fictional book that helped me grasp this was Michale Crichton's Prey. Overall, it's a terrible book, but it taught me a bit about the insect world (though it won't answer your question about spider webs). Do you like termites?
 

spacemonkey

Pneumatic Spiritualist
Ummmm....reproduction is a human instinct, put a completely uneducated (think Tarzan) man and woman on an island and I'll bet their having sex within a week. So is eating, drinking, and sleeping, you don't have to be taught that you are hungry or tired, you just are. Also it is instinct to protect your offspring and members of your family. How about dogs, they have been domesticated longer then any other animal, yet they still feel the need to dig out a spot and walk in circles (to flatten tall grasses) when they lay down on my micro fiber sofa.
 

Draka

Wonder Woman
"Collective Unconscious" is the idea I think best describes the reasoning for these "instincts".
 

kreeden

Virus of the Mind
:) That is one thoery Draka . I read something awhile back about " genetic conscious ". The possibitily of memories passed alone in the genes . ??? Can't say that I understood it all , but it did seem to fit in with Jung's ideas . And would also explain " instincts ".
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
Ormiston said:
I've noticed a whole lot of spiders lately around my home and work. I love them. They kill the flying insects that I detest and I like the way they look on their webs. I find it truly amazing that spiders instinctually know how to build webs and the similarity in the design of the webs is equally amazing. I was hoping someone could explain the biological process and physiology involved with "instinct". Also, are there any similar instinctual behaviors in humans?
You love spiders? :run:
 

dawny0826

Mother Heathen
I was totally into spiders until they started hanging out in my house.

We have brown recluse spiders around here. They aren't native to this area but they're here nonetheless and the little creeps like to get in your couches, beds, shoes...you know any place that you don't want them and they bite and they're bite is very poisonous.

Blast the little dorks!

Any other type spider thingey that stays outdoors is totally okay by me. I just don't like them in my shoes.
 

dawny0826

Mother Heathen
While I'm on the topic of spiders...anyone else get attacked by an agressive house spider?!

Those little dweebs actually come at you.

Sheesh...
 

Buttercup

Veteran Member
Hey Ormi! Here's a present for you. Don't look Kat! (she HATES spiders)

spider1.jpg
 

Ormiston

Well-Known Member
Buttercup said:
Hey Ormi! Here's a present for you. Don't look Kat! (she HATES spiders)

spider1.jpg

Nice one! That looks just like the spider at my work yesterday. Did you take the pic Rhonda?
 

Buttercup

Veteran Member
No, John I didn't. I swiped that off the internet and have used it at least 3 or 4 times on RF. Sure has come in handy.

If I saw that spider in real life......you would hear me scream clear out here in Oregon!
 

kreeden

Virus of the Mind
What a handsome looking spider Buttercup . :) I wonder what type it is ? A long flat body like that makes it look like a wolf spider , but the long legs looks like a webspinner .

I took this pic in Seattle a couple of suppers back . She had her web in a blackberry bush . :) But her colours are very much like your spider , although her body shape isn't ...

Spider.jpg
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
I HATE spiders. But I like to watch them. Especially when the make their webs.

I would say human instints are eating, drinking, and sex.
 

painted wolf

Grey Muzzle
hehe.. did you know they just found out that some Taranchulas can make silk out of thier feet!

aparently it is to help them hold on to things.(duh). Naturally this find came as quite a surprize as the specalized seven sorts of silk are made in the spiders ...erm... bum.

I have to say that running into a field when your little and realizing your surrounded by these guys is no fun. They are quite large two or three inches :cool:
http://spiders.entomology.wisc.edu/Araneidae/argiope_gallery.jpg
I had these bad girls in one of my apartments they are huge!! The biggest was almost the size of a mouse,infact I thought she was a mouse till I looked down... and she was under my hand next to me on the couch!
http://photo.accuweather.com/accupic/data/507/medium/barn_spider.jpg

yup I've had more than my fair share of spider encounters. I've gone from being a true aracnaphobe to having a respect and while pleasant isn't the word, at least cordial relationship with them.

wa:do
 

Booko

Deviled Hen
kreeden said:
Actually , I believe that there is a debate in the science world over just what " instinct " is . Some would class emotions and such as instinctive , while others claim that " higher animals " don't really have " instincts ".

Oh...that must be a lot of men and women who've never been pregnant that claim higher animals "don't really have" instincts. :eek:

Never really got into it myself . But I believe that most agree that emotions , sex drive , some types of relaxes , are considered " instinctive ". The thing is , so called " higher animals " can usually over-come their instincts , use logic or whatever , to do what they desire ...

Yes, I did reason out that killing the person who seemed to be endangering me when I was around 8 month's pregnant might not be the best course of action. But wow...was I *totally* unprepared for that "mommy instinct." Now I know how those mama bears feel...and I've met plenty of other women who report the same thing, so it's not just me.
 

Booko

Deviled Hen
Katzpur said:
You love spiders? :run:

I used to be arachnaphobic. But I learned over time to tolerate them long enough to put them, undamaged, outside, where they could eat the insects that were eating my plants.
 
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