How do tarantulas keep air while underwater?

[Arachnomaniac19]

I've seen spiders go under water only to have a cloak of air surrounding them. I was wondering how the science behind that works. Does it have something to do with surface tension? A capillary-like action? Is it true that if a leg goes out of the water they can breath? Any papers on this would be wonderful!

 

[cold blood]

Pockets of air get trapped in/by the hairs. Surface tension is what allows them to walk ON the water.

---------- Post added 09-19-2015 at 11:16 PM ----------

legs won't help, their lungs are on their rump, not their legs.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

On the other hand, if they walk on water AND later die at some point, only to come back to life three days later...

 

[viper69]

On the other hand, if they walk on water AND later die at some point, only to come back to life three days later...

You've got zombie on the brain!

 

[cold blood]

You've got zombie on the brain!

I think it was more bible on the brain:wink:

 

[EulersK]

Many land-dwelling arthropods have hydrophobic exoskeletons. Spiders have this, and tarantulas have the added benefit of also having hydrophobic 'hair' surrounding them, which creates a bubble of air. It's less to allow them to breathe underwater and more about just keeping them dry. I'm certain there is a lot more going on here, but this is definitely a huge part of it.

What is a hydrophobic coating? This.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvTkefJHfC0

 

[Arachnomaniac19]

Pockets of air get trapped in/by the hairs. Surface tension is what allows them to walk ON the water.

---------- Post added 09-19-2015 at 11:16 PM ----------

legs won't help, their lungs are on their rump, not their legs.

I've heard that they can carry air from the surface of the water down to their book lungs with only a leg out of water.

 

[viper69]

I've heard that they can carry air from the surface of the water down to their book lungs with only a leg out of water.

If you are suggesting they can breathe with their leg you are wrong. Their legs are NOT snorkels hah

 

[Arachnomaniac19]

If you are suggesting they can breathe with their leg you are wrong. Their legs are NOT snorkels hah

Too bad. I'm sure arachnophobes would have a nightmare if they could!

 

[parthicus]

This has made me really curious about the topic. I am going to try to look for any scientific research on this.

 

[edgeofthefreak]

...legs won't help, their lungs are on their rump, not their legs...

If you are suggesting they can breathe with their leg you are wrong. Their legs are NOT snorkels hah

I've heard that they can carry air from the surface of the water down to their book lungs with only a leg out of water.

I think the idea Arachnomaniac19 was getting at, is that by having a single leg out of the water, the air is able to travel in between the setae. For a spider to be fully underwater, the book lungs can only take so much oxygen, as it's a sealed compartment. When a leg is extended out, the air is no longer trapped on the spider, it can be refreshed, albeit incredibly slowly. It loses the compartmental aspect, and the spider can stay under longer. Not indefinitely, but from longer than when completely submerged.

I had read this somewhere before, but I can't think of where or what the source would be. I believe the species in reference was Hysterocrates gigas.

 

[Tfisher]

This topic reminded me when I found a fresh molt I took it out and put it into a deli cup. I thought it was empty, but it was full of water. I pushed the molt into water and was very amused. it made a tear drop of air. very fun.