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Where was the world's largest spider web found?
The massive spider web was discovered by Romanian scientists in a sulfur cave near Greece and Albania. The cave's harsh, toxic environment makes this find even more remarkable, showing how some spiders can thrive in extreme conditions.
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What species of spiders built this massive web?
The web contains around 111,000 funnel-web spiders, which are known for their ability to adapt to challenging environments. Two different spider species were found cohabiting within the same web structure, a rare and fascinating occurrence.
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How do spiders survive in extreme environments like sulfur caves?
These spiders have adapted to survive in toxic, dark habitats by feeding on sulfur-eating midges and microbes that support a unique food web. Their resilience demonstrates how life can persist in conditions previously thought uninhabitable.
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What does this discovery tell us about life in harsh habitats?
The finding highlights the incredible adaptability of life, especially arachnids, in extreme environments. It challenges previous assumptions about habitat limitations and suggests that many more species could survive in harsh conditions, possibly even in extraterrestrial environments.
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How big is the spider web compared to typical webs?
At 1,140 square feet, this web is significantly larger than most spider webs. Its size is comparable to a small room and showcases the impressive engineering skills of these spiders in building such a vast structure.
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Why is this discovery important for science?
This discovery provides insights into how species adapt to extreme environments, broadening our understanding of biodiversity and resilience. It also opens new avenues for studying survival strategies in harsh habitats, both on Earth and potentially on other planets.