Goulburn, New South Wales: Millions Of Spiders Descend On Australian Town
Goulburn, New South Wales was recently invaded by millions of baby spiders. The unusual phenomenon, which is called Angel Hair migration, makes it appear as though the spiders are raining down from the sky.
Australia Museum Naturalist Martyn Robinson said baby spiders use several different techniques to migrate. However, the ballooning or Angel Hair method, is the most visually stunning.
As reported by International Business Times, the ballooning method allows baby spiders to travel through the air on a strand of gossamer web — which is commonly referred to as Angel Hair.
Raining spiders? It’s entirely possible http://t.co/B1fpVkp3lj pic.twitter.com/BaWg2Rj6Vq
— smh.com.au (@smh) May 14, 2015
Martyn Robinson discusses the fascinating migration technique.
“They can literally travel for kilometres… which is why every continent has spiders. Even in Antarctica… That’s also why the first land animals to arrive on new islands formed by volcanic activity are usually spiders.”
When the spiders reach their destination, they simply rain down onto every available surface. As a result, towns like Goulburn, New South Wales become inundated with baby spiders.
The spiders also use a similar technique to travel closer to the ground. As they move along foliage and fixed objects, each spider leaves a trail of fine webs. Although the webbing is quite delicate, their volume continues to increase as the trails intersect.
“You end up with thick silk roads — criss-crossing finer silk lines to produce this interwoven shroud. It’s all very practical but to our eyes it looks quite beautiful.”
Although the sheer number of spiders, and their webs, is unsettling, the sight is unbelievable.
South Australian retiree Keith Basterfield has recorded spider migration patterns for 14 years. As reported by Goulburn Post, Basterfield is currently gathering information about the Goulburn, New South Wales event.
Angel Hair migrations are quite remarkable. However, they are often short-lived. Basterfield said he is having trouble finding witnesses who actually photographed the spiders.
Hail in Sydney. Meh. It rained spiders in Goulburn this month via @ingating http://t.co/XZVXME4X23 pic.twitter.com/BqjmOT7Wht
— Eryk Bagshaw (@ErykBagshaw) May 14, 2015
Ian Watson, for example, shared his personal experience with the baby spider migration via social media. Unfortunately, he did not have an opportunity to snap any photos.
“Anyone else experiencing this ‘Angel Hair’ or maybe aka millions of spiders falling from the sky right now… you can clearly see hundreds of little spiders floating along with their webs and my home is covered in them… there are millions of them… there is also a cotton like substance coming down that is kinda like spider web but not exactly…”
Residents in Goulburn, New South Wales experience the Angel Hair phenomenon at least once each year. However, the number of spiders varies due to changing weather patterns.
[Image via Shutterstock]
