This isn’t snow! Spiders create a snow-like sea of silk with mass ballooning

At first glance, the fields of Victoria and New South Wales may look like they’ve been covered in snow, with a soft, white layer shining in the morning light. But take a closer look, and you’ll discover something much more unusual than snow.
This strange and fascinating sight is caused by mass ballooning, a natural event where millions of tiny spiders float through the air, using silk threads they spin from their bodies. As these spiders land, their silk parachutes cover entire fields, fences, and bushes in what locals call "angel hair."
Mass ballooning is a way that spiders, especially young ones, move to new areas when their home becomes unsuitable, usually after heavy rain or flooding. They climb to the highest points they can find, like tall grass or fence posts, and release long threads of silk into the air. The wind catches these threads, carrying the spiders to new locations.
It’s like nature’s version of parachuting, and it’s been happening for millions of years.
Although ballooning spiders can be found in many parts of the world, southeastern Australia is especially known for this strange event. After seasonal floods, the ground-dwelling spiders often need to find new places to live. Their solution? Take to the air.
The result is a whole landscape sparkling with fine silk, creating a dreamlike – or for some, unsettling – scene that both amazes and surprises.


Even though it might look a bit creepy, mass ballooning is not dangerous to humans. The spiders involved are harmless and are simply trying to survive. This isn’t a plague or infestation, but a natural survival method developed over thousands of years.
Scientists see it as a great example of nature’s ability to adapt. Some even study how spider ballooning works to understand more about aerodynamics on a very small scale. They’ve found that electric fields in the air may help the spiders float, showing how this ancient method combines both biology and physics.
For those lucky enough to see it, the sight of entire landscapes covered in spider silk is truly magical. Photographers often say it looks like something from a fantasy movie, where the normal world turns into something delicate and strange.
"At first, people think it’s snow or maybe pollution," says a resident. "But when you get close, you realise it’s silk–soft, strong, and everywhere."
Don’t worry – and don’t disturb the spiders. They’re just passing through, looking for a safer place. If you're curious, watch from a distance, and maybe snap a photo. After all, you’re seeing a rare and beautiful event in nature.
So, next time you spot a white shimmer across a flooded Australian field, remember: it’s not snow – it’s a sky full of tiny travellers floating their way into the unknown.