07/13/2025

How These Spiders At The Bottom Of The Sea Eat Methane

Researchers found a new sea spider with a giant nose, leg cannons, and—most remarkably—a novel way of surviving in the lightless, freezing environment miles below the sea surface. These oceanic arthropods are powered by methane that seeps out of the ocean floor.

Biologist Shana Goffredi joins Host Flora Lichtman to tell us more about the discovery and explain how we’re connected to these little beasts.


lightbulb How do scientists figure out where life can exist in the universe (places like Venus)? Use microbes—like the ones these sea spiders rely on—to piece together clues about the limits of life with this educational resource from SciFri Educate.

Segment Guests

Shana Goffredi

Shana Goffredi is an associate professor of Biology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California.

Segment Transcript

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Meet the Producers and Host

About Dee Peterschmidt

Dee Peterschmidt is a producer, host of the podcast Universe of Art, and composes music for Science Friday’s podcasts. Their D&D character is a clumsy bard named Chip Chap Chopman.

About Flora Lichtman

Flora Lichtman is a host of Science Friday. In a previous life, she lived on a research ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.

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