Scientists have discovered the world's largest spider web in a cave on the border of Albania and Greece. It covers approximately 106 square meters. More than 111,000 spiders of two species live inside.
These species are usually competitors, but in the cave, they began building a single web together.
"Researchers have discovered more than 111,000 spiders thriving in what appears to be the world's largest web, located deep inside a cave on the border of Albania and Greece," the Live Science report begins.
The colony is a colossal web woven in a permanently dark area of the cave. The researchers write that the web covers an area of 106 square meters. According to the study's author, Istvan Irak, "the discovery is likely the largest web in the world."
The "spider megalopolis," the report continues, is located in Sulphur Cave—a cave formed by sulfuric acid, which formed during the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in groundwater.
The colony is home to two species of spiders: Tegenaria domestica and Prinerigone vagans. Experts estimate there are approximately 69,000 of the former, and 42,000 of the latter. "DNA analysis also confirmed that these species are dominant," the scientists clarify.
The conclusion states: the spider colony in Sulphur Cave is one of the largest ever recorded. Despite the difficulties associated with the cave's location on the border of two countries, the scientists intend to make every effort to preserve this "megalopolis."











