Massive spider webs stretching across trees and paddocks have formed near towns in Australia recently hit by floods.
Residents in Victoria's Gippsland region say the gossamer-like veils appeared after days of heavy rain.
In one area, a spider web covered more than a kilometre along a road.
Experts say the veils are created by a survival tactic known as "ballooning", where spiders throw out silk to climb to higher ground.
Dr Ken Walker, a senior insects curator from Museums Victoria, said it was likely that millions of spiders had thrown strands up to the surrounding trees.
"Ground-dwelling spiders need to get off the ground very quickly. The silk snakes up and catches onto vegetation and they can escape," he told The Age newspaper.
More (with pictures):
Residents in Victoria's Gippsland region say the gossamer-like veils appeared after days of heavy rain.
In one area, a spider web covered more than a kilometre along a road.
Experts say the veils are created by a survival tactic known as "ballooning", where spiders throw out silk to climb to higher ground.
Dr Ken Walker, a senior insects curator from Museums Victoria, said it was likely that millions of spiders had thrown strands up to the surrounding trees.
"Ground-dwelling spiders need to get off the ground very quickly. The silk snakes up and catches onto vegetation and they can escape," he told The Age newspaper.
More (with pictures):
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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-57492960
and another school mate left for Oz with his wife and kids 15 years ago and doesn't regret his decision