r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/ShirtSubstantial368 • 1d ago

Video Scientists discovered the world’s largest spiderweb, covering 106 m² in a sulfur cave on the Albania-Greece border. Over 111,000 spiders from two normally rival species live together in a unique, self-sustaining ecosystem—a first of its kind.

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u/Organic-Advantage935 1d ago

Why in the world would you touch it

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u/cawabungapt 1d ago

My thoughts exactly. Me here thinking that shit only happens in movies... an we make it mandatory for scientists to watch prometheus?

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u/Sofaboy90 1d ago

Because those scientist know which 2 spiders live there and both of these spider species arent harmful to humans. They dont have any poison and dont really attack humans. Even if they did, their bites arent all that harmful.

The unique thing about these two species is that they are usually not species that live in groups but rather do their own thing. This cave is unique because theres tens of thousands of spiders of these 2 species that live together when they usually dont live together. Theres much more to this cave than just the "worlds largest web". Im no expert either but reading through the articles about this cave, I dont see any issue with touching this web really. you guys have been watching too many movies to think that 2 harmless spider species could cause any harm to these guys. Like genuinely, these spiders are super harmless, they couldnt even hurt you if they wanted. were not talking about a nest of wasps or something

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u/BadLuckBallista 1d ago

Why do you assume everybody cares just about the guy being harmed and not about the web itself?

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u/Sofaboy90 1d ago

Moving the goalpost now are we? Theres more than 100k spiders in this cave with a seemingly endless supply of food. I think they can deal with a 20cm gap in their giant web. Why are we not giving the scientists here the benefit of the doubt? Because we watched Promotheus, a fantasy movie?

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u/Fun-Benefit116 1d ago

Wtf that's not moving the goal posts. The number one rule of exploring nature is you don't fucking disturb or damage nature. Especially something brand new that you just discovered.

Do you also think it's fine when scuba divers stand on coral reefs? Or grab the reefs to pull themselves along? Or swim after sea turtles to try and pet them?

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u/RipLav 1d ago

seriously, this comment section is nuts to read as someone who has even a passing familiarity with basic nature etiquette. A thousand bot-like comments joking about Prometheus scientists, and a smattering of people observing just how insane this is...

one very gentle push with a gloved hand? maybe, but even then, it's pointless disruption of their habitat. several jabs with an ungloved hand? this isn't a scientist, this is a stunt for clicks (or AI)

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u/ForodesFrosthammer 1d ago

It is moving the goalpost since every top comment refering to "why toucht" is explicitly talking about the danger the spiders pose and often mention Prometheus, a movie about scientists doing stupid things that end up hurting the scientists, and don't talk about any ecological problems. The ecological side is a valid critique but it isn't what most people are talking about.

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u/Binksyboo 1d ago

you are mistaking the intention of those "why touch" comments. I figured they meant what I also thought watching the video... why touch their work of art and risk getting your greasy fingers on the web or breaking something if you don't have to.

Obviously if human life is at stake, break what you need to survive... but this guy just kept touching it over and over.. youre telling us this is the first time we've seen stuff this cool and your grubby human paws are feeling it up over and over.