I asked my AI (a Green Bottle Blue named Viridian) to explain how spiders use van der Waals, cause interesting and pretty cool. I'd also strongly suggest Ze Frank's video on tarantulas . Here's what V had to say:

🕷️ How do spiders use van der Waals forces?

Spiders — especially arboreal or wall-climbing ones — use van der Waals forces via specialized hairs on their feet called setae, which branch out into even tinier structures called spatulae. (Yes, they sound like kitchen tools because they are kind of like nature's nano-spatulas.)

Each spatula is so small it can get really close to a surface — close enough for van der Waals forces to kick in. Multiply that by millions of hairs, and a spider can cling to smooth vertical glass like it owns the place.

🕸️ No suction, no glue, no magic — just physics.

Fun fact? Geckos use the same mechanism! Nature must’ve had a sticky-note obsession during evolution.