Are spiders becoming more collaborative? Experts are debating how and why spiders have spun a giant “web site” in Lake Tawakoni State Park in Texas.
The spiders created a “white fairyland” encompassing many trees. What perplexes experts is that spiders are not particularly collaborative creatures. Unlike other insects including bees and ants, spiders normally work alone in gathering food and building their homes.
So what gives? One theory is that a rare social species of spider cooperated to build a large colony. Social spiders sometimes form colonies in tropical areas in the southern hemisphere, according to an expert quoted in The Dallas News. You can read the story here. Hmmm….social networking among spiders. What’s next? Spiderpedia or SlinkedIn?
Another theory is that multiple species of spiders may have acted in concert.
Perhaps spiders are beginning to understand the potential for collaboration. J
One thing is clear. The web is a huge accomplishment that one spider could never have achieved working alone.
And, yes, the giant Texas spider web is a reminder that we can create more value collaborating than competing.
