Spiders can fly hundreds of miles with the help of Earth’s electric fields | Technology News, The Indian Express

Spiders can fly hundreds of miles with the help of Earth’s electric fields | Technology News, The Indian Express

By Tech Desk |New Delhi |Updated: October 1, 2019 4:10:11 pm

Spiders can fly hundreds of miles with the help of Earth’s electric fields

Scientists at the University of Bristol have now shown that spiders can sense the electric field of the Earth, and use it for launching themselves into the air.

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The spiders which are ballooning, work within the electric field of the Earth. When the silk strands leave their bodies, it takes up a negative charge, which helps the spider repel the negative charge present on the surface and creates sufficient energy to lift the spider in the air. (Representational image, source: Pixabay)

It has been believed since ages that spiders cannot fly, due to lack of wings. However, they still go air bourne sometimes. These creatures go to an exposed point and raise their abdomens in the sky. After this, they force out strands of silk and float away. This process is called ballooning.