By Rafael, WebTug creator · Updated September 7, 2026 · Source-linked learning
What the game helps you notice
Experiments with Hasarius adansoni show dragline silk helping control body orientation and dissipate energy during a jump. In this challenge, the aiming arrow chooses the takeoff direction and speed. A higher branch requires enough upward motion; a lower branch gives gravity more time to act. Holding the silk brake reduces forward speed and body rotation.
Does the dragline power the jump?
No. Takeoff supplies the motion; the dragline can redirect or dissipate it. Brake too early and you may not reach the branch.
A game inspired by science—not a biological simulator.
Pulling back is an aiming control, not how a real spider powers its jump. Real takeoff is leg-powered. The dotted guide assumes no braking; actual silk forces, air drag, and three-dimensional body motion are simplified here.
Try this experiment: What happens after the safety line becomes taut?
Keep fall distance and line stiffness unchanged. Predict which energy-loss setting produces less repeated motion after the line loads.