Mechanics, growth, and design
Chapter 1 recognised two broad functional categories of animal architecture: houses and traps. The traps are generally nets; these have a short operational life compared to the life of the builder, are constructed quickly, and are only operational when completed. A house on the other hand may endure the lifetime of the individual or colony that builds it, starting small and growing as the occupant(s) also grow. This chapter considers two problems relating to all these structures, whether trap or house: why don't they fall to pieces, and how do they solve the problem of growth, while still remaining operational?
Keywords: animal construction, traps, nets, houses, mechanical design, spider web, orb webs
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