Scientists have discovered the world’s largest spider web in a dark cave in southern Europe, woven collectively by more than 111,000 spiders.
According to a report published last month in the scientific journal Subterranean Biology, the vast web was found in the Cave of Sulphur, near the border between Greece and Albania. The structure covers an area of 106 square metres and consists of thousands of funnel-shaped webs.
The report said that the web was created jointly by two different species of spiders commonly known as house spiders.
Remarkably, one of these species usually preys upon the other, yet in this cave both coexist in unusual harmony. Experts believe that the complete absence of light affects the spiders’ vision, preventing them from perceiving one another as prey or threat.
The study explained that both species feed on small flies living on the white bacterial layers that produce sulphur inside the cave.
Scientists described the discovery as evidence that the Earth’s interior remains rich with nature’s hidden wonders, many of which humanity has yet to uncover.
