This crab spider is surveying the wind condition with its leg hairs… to take flight.

A team of researchers studied how these spiders release silk “balloons” and sail away. Conditions for liftoff need to be right. A warm and gentle breeze will do it. The balloon is made up of 60 silk threads in a triangular form, similar to a wind-sail. It’s got to be nice to go wherever the wind blows.

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Written by Cesar Moya