ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

The science of ‘ballooning’ – or why it’s raining spiders in Australia

It's raining... spiders. Countless baby spiders are falling from the ski in the Australian city Goulburn, South Australia, covering the entire landscape in spider webs.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
May 18, 2015 - Updated on May 19, 2015
in News, Offbeat
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Scientists discover well-preserved giant spider fossil that’s absolutely massive
Fantastic 100 million year-old time capsule traps ancient clash between spider and wasp
Spider silk-inspired wire extends like a solid, but compresses like a liquid
Crab spiders cooperate to camouflage themselves as a flower

It’s raining… spiders?! Countless baby spiders are falling from the sky in the Australian city of Goulburn, covering the entire landscape in spider webs they use as gliders. Let’s see what the science says.

A home surrounded by spiderwebs as floodwaters rise around Wagga Wagga in 2012. Source: SMH.

“The whole place was covered in these little black spiderlings and when I looked up at the sun it was like this tunnel of webs going up for a couple of hundred metres into the sky,” Ian Watson, a resident of Goulburn, said in an interview.

Another resident said the city looks “abandoned and taken over by spiders”. So why does this incredible phenomenon happen?

Well, such arachnid rains aren’t as uncommon as you might think. Some types of spiders are known to migrate through the air, sometimes in large numbers. Australia and New Zealand have frequent cases, caused by several species. The spiders are actually incredibly creative in this process. They climb onto the highest peaks they can, and then simply jump, releasing a stream of silk they use as a glider. The technique is called “ballooning”.

Paddocks in Albury show the extent of the ‘spider rain’. Source: Keith Basterfield.

Through this, they can travel long distances, and when they land, they cover everything with thick spider silk – something called “angel hair” in folklore.

“They can literally travel for kilometers … which is why every continent has spiders. Even in Antarctica they regularly turn up but just die,”  Martyn Robinson, a naturalist from the Australian Museum explained.

But “kilometers” is an understatement. While most ballooning journeys end after just a few meters of travel, many sailors have reported spiders being caught in their ship’s sails, over 1,600 kilometres away from land, and atmospheric balloons flying at 5 km above sea level; spiderlings can survive for up to 25 days without food. The Earth’s static electric field may also provide lift in windless conditions But not all are successful in this endeavour – many don’t survive.

For ballooning, spiders use especially fine silk, called “gossamer” to lift themselves off a surface, and silk also may be used by a windblown spider to anchor itself to stop its journey. I guess spiders can actually fly… who knew?

Tags: spider

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Animals

Big Boy Is Here and He’s the Most Venomous Spider in the World

byTibi Puiu
4 months ago
Animals

Crab spiders cooperate to camouflage themselves as a flower

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago
Image credits: Australian Museum.
Paleontology

Scientists discover well-preserved giant spider fossil that’s absolutely massive

byFermin Koop
2 years ago
Invertebrates

Myth-busting Facts about Black Widow Spiders

byTibi Puiu
2 years ago

Recent news

CERN Creates Gold from Lead and There’s No Magic, Just Physics

May 9, 2025

A New AI Tool Can Recreate Your Face Using Nothing But Your DNA

May 9, 2025

How Some Flowers Evolved the Grossest Stench — and Why Flies Love It

May 9, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.