Why Spiders Fight.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 June 1914, Page 2

Why Spiders Fight.

When two or more sptders fight there is usually a good reason for the furious attack and vigorous defence that always follows.

It is not generally known that after a certain time has elapsed, spiders become incapable of spinning a web from lack of sufficient material. The glutinous substance from which the spider spins its slender web is limited. Therefore, spiders cannot keep on constructing new snares for their prey when the old webs are destroyed.

Very often when the web material is exhausted they are able to avail themselves of the web producing powers of their younger or more fortunate neighbours, and this they do without any scruple whatever.

As soon as the spider's web-con-structing material has become exhausted and its last web destroyed it usually sets out in search of another home and unless it should find one that is unoccupied, a battle usually ensues, which ends only with the retreat or death of the invader . or defender.

Such a struggle is intensely interesting, and will reveal some wonderful tactics and skill in spider warfare. The invaders usually come off victorious, although in some eases the defender puts up such a stiff fight it is able to hold its own in spite of the attack of the intruder in its desperate straits.

One strange fact is the web material will increase after so long a period, and the spider will spin a N net in which to snare its many varieties of prey in the form of different kinds of insects.

Spiders that are very successful in capturing food are often set upon by other spiders which have for some reason not been as successful as their neighbour.