Emily Chan
Females are smaller due to their need to create bigger air bells to look after their young. They also have to travel to the water’s surface more frequently to refresh their air, which would require a lot more energy if they were of a larger size.
The spiders’ mating behavior is also interesting. Male diving bell spiders will build their bubbles next to a female’s. Then, they will create an opening between the bubbles and join them together.
If you ever encounter a diving bell spider, make sure not to bother it. The species can produce bites as painful as bee stings, per the British Arachnological Society.
