Brasilia - Saba:
The skies of Brazil have recently witnessed a rare and unprecedented natural phenomenon, spiders falling from the sky, in a scene that terrified the residents.
The rare natural phenomenon was observed on January 24 in the sky of the town of Sao Tome das Letras in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, spiders moving in the air in a manner resembling falling snow.
Biologists and spider experts rushed to explain this strange phenomenon. According to experts, these spiders were participating in a mass mating ritual, where they form a giant spider web for reproduction. They stand on high surfaces (such as trees) and release silk threads into the air. When the wind picks up these threads, the spiders are lifted into the air, allowing them to move from one place to another.
Large numbers of spiders gather in the same place, especially during the mating season. When these spiders release their threads at the same time, the scene looks like "the sky is raining spiders."
It is worth noting that this phenomenon is more common in hot and humid climates, where light winds help carry spiders over longer distances. According to scientists, this phenomenon is often associated with the mating season.
Females store the sperm of several males in a special organ called the spermatheca, allowing them to fertilize their eggs later, said biologist Kyron Passos. "In this way, the female ensures greater genetic diversity for her young, which increases their resistance to diseases," he added.
"Some species of spiders exhibit unusual social behavior, gathering in colonies to increase their chances of obtaining food and protecting their young," said spider scientist, who holds a doctorate in biological sciences.
"These colonies usually form annually, and include generations of mothers and daughters, but they disintegrate after mating," Ana Lucia Torino added.
Despite the scientific explanation, the scene remained a source of horror and astonishment for viewers, especially after it was widely circulated in local media.