Silk

We provide premium quality, natural silk directly from healthy spiders that are released after collection. Preparation, storage, and shipping of silk can be customized to fit researchers’ needs. We are committed to serving the spider silk research community with minimal harm to spiders.

Major ampullate silk

The gold standard in biological materials. Used as dragline to protect in falls or as radial lines in orb webs to catch prey. Its combination of strength and extensibility makes it one of the toughest known materials in nature. Combined with this silk’s high resonant frequency, antibacterial properties, thermal tolerance and low density, among others, major ampullate silk is one of the most sought-after natural fibres.

Minor ampullate silk

The silk used as temporary scaffolding during the construction of orb webs and sometimes combined with major ampullate silk as a dragline. This type of silk is generally thinner and more extensible than major ampullate silk.

Tubuliform silk

The silk used in egg sacs of many species of spiders to protect against harmful environmental conditions and predators. This silk is very stiff and glass-like.

Quality Control

Quality control measures are put in place to ensure that silk fibers are received at premium quality:

Upon receiving an order for silk, spiders are collected from a local, natural habitat.

Spiders are housed, fed and watered frequently before silk is collected from each individual to ensure spiders remain healthy.

Silk is collected within the native spin rate observed naturally.

Mechanical properties and performance is determined from silk fibers within a batch and provided in a report.

Amino acid profile is characterized from silk fibers within a batch and provided in a report.

Batches of silk are shipped in airtight, environmentally controlled containers to recipients.

Pricing

Pricing is based on the quantity of silk ordered. The minimum order requirement is 2,000 meters (approximately 100 mg) at USD 700, inclusive of delivery and Tax.
Please note that all pricing is customized and can be obtained through inquiries.

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Feel free to include any special requests