A Web Safari

Greetings, young Nature Explorer! Today, you're embarking on a "Web Safari". Prepare for a thrilling journey into the intricate world of spider webs. You'll explore outdoor and indoor spaces to uncover their architectural marvels. If you need assistance, enlist an observation partner to join you on this wondrous web adventure!
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Note: On this safari, you're observing only. Don't disturb the spider's web. Not all spiders are harmless. Some are aggressive and have a nasty bite.

What You'll Need:

  • Curiosity and Imagination
  • ​Nature Journal, and pencils
  • Braille slate and stylus 
  • (Tactile) drawing paper
  • Favorite drawing tools
  • Tactile markers
  • Art materials like wool yarn and twine, fallen twigs, leaves, and other natural materials.
  • Internet access for research 
  • Screen reader (if available)
  • ​Optional: family member or friend to assist

Instructions:

Step 1. Research Spider Webs:
Use the internet as your guide to learn about spiders and their webs. Discover as many interesting facts about them as you can.

  • Find pictures of the different types of webs spiders weave.
  • Research how they perceive the world through their webs.
  • Investigate the multifaceted purposes of webs. 
  • Discover the various environments where spiders choose to construct their webs.


Step 2. Web Discovery:
Now, it's time to commence your web safari! Remember, on this web safari, you're observing only!

  • Invite your observation partner to join your expedition and lend a hand if needed.
  • Head to an outdoor space like a garden, park, or nature trail.
  • Look for spider webs in different locations, like bushes, trees, or between grass blades.
  • Check window sills, the balcony, porch, or patio if you cannot leave home.

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Step 3. Document Your Sightings:
  • Visually examine the spider web you've discovered. Pay attention to its size, shape, and any distinctive features. 
  • Sketch or describe the web in your Nature Journal, braille slate, or on (tactile) drawing paper. Note where you found it, the details that stood out, and how the web showcased the creative abilities of the spider that built it. 
  • Alternatively, take photos of the web and its surroundings to help you identify it when you return to your computer. 
  • If working with an observation partner, ask them to describe the web's appearance.


Step 4. Web Identification: 
Fire up your computer! It's time to put on your detective cap! Reference your notes and sketches and identify the web type and, if possible, the arachnid species responsible for its creation. Identifying a spider by its web is a skill that offers valuable insights into the spiders that might call your home or garden their habitat. ​


Step 5. Get Arty:
Let your imagination spin its own web! You have observed real spider webs and uncovered many interesting facts about them; it's time to get creative. If you have an observation partner, join forces to craft a collaborative spider web on the ground. Gather fallen twigs, leaves, twine, wool threads, or other materials you have found. Use these collected materials to symbolize the strands of a spider web. Now, see what unique shapes or patterns you can conjure for your arachnid-inspired masterpiece.


Step 6. Collaborative Discoveries: 
If you collaborated with an observation partner, share and discuss your findings. Document this information in your Nature Journal or braille slate, including any sensory observations made throughout the exploration.


Step 7. Questions
Now that you have thoroughly investigated and uncovered fascinating revelations about spider webs, capture your findings by recording the answers to the following questions in your Nature Journal or on your braille slate. 
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  1. Estimate the size of the web. Is it expansive and sprawling or compact and delicate? How does its size impact its effectiveness?
  2. What intricate patterns or shapes did you notice in the spider web, and how do they contribute to its overall design?
  3. Observe the web over several days. How does it change? Does the spider repair or alter the web regularly? 
  4. Did you notice any elements on the web that serve as camouflage? How might these features help the spider in its natural environment?
  5. How do spiders contribute to the balance of their environment, and how do they impact the ecosystem?
  6. Examine the web for any signs of human interference. How might human activities affect the spider web, and what can we learn from this interaction?


Step 8. Share Your Discoveries: ​
Share what you have learned with everyone you care about, including friends and family. Your observations are important! By sharing your knowledge about spider webs, you're deepening connections and encouraging a greater understanding of the complex marvels of nature.


Conclusion:
This spider web exploration activity enhances your understanding of the environment. Through a journey of discovery, research, and creativity that revealed the intricacies of arachnid construction. Have fun, young Nature Detective, and keep observing, learning, and appreciating the nature around you!

Image credit: Photograph by Sharon Housley