Could an orb weaver spider be outsourcing its memory to its own web?
In short: Orb weaver spiders are nearly blind, yet they navigate their complex webs with ease. This video explores the theory that these spiders use their silk structures as a form of extended cognition, effectively offloading memory and problem-solving tasks to the web itself.
Orb weaver spiders, a group comprising over 4,000 species, are known for their intricate spiral webs. While these structures are clearly effective for ensnaring insects, researchers like Hilton Japyassú and Thomas Hesselberg suggest they serve a deeper purpose. Because orb weavers possess tiny brains and limited vision, they may use the web as a physical extension of their cognitive processes.
By reading the strands of their web like a memory map, spiders can locate prey they have previously wrapped in silk without needing to store the location in their own brains. This strategy allows the spider to preserve mental energy for other complex tasks, such as adjusting the web's tension or shape to suit the size of available prey.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Is a Spider's Web a Part of Its Mind? | Deep Look
- Also: www.pbs.org — Deep Look | Is a Spider's Web a Part of Its Mind? | Season 7 | Episode 16
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