Things That Are Sticky

Welcome to our list of things that are sticky!

In our list we’ve included as many categories of things we could think of as possible, including food, textiles and more. We hope we’ve covered what you’re after in our long list of sticky things.

Here’s a visual list of things that are sticky:

Hopefully that visual list of sticky things was useful! If you’re interested in learning more, here’s a longer and more informative list of things that are sticky, separated into handy categories:

Food

Sticky foods have a characteristic texture that adheres to surfaces or tends to cling to utensils, fingers, or other foods. Here’s a list of foods that are known for their sticky or adhesive texture:

Marshmallows: Marshmallows are soft and spongy confections known for their sticky texture, commonly used in desserts and hot chocolate.
Taffy: Taffy is a chewy, sticky candy made by stretching and pulling a sugar mixture. It comes in various flavors and is often found at fairs and carnivals.
Gummy Bears: Gummy bears are soft, chewy candies with a sticky, gelatinous texture and a fruity flavor.
Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener with a thick, sticky consistency, often used in cooking, baking, and as a topping for various foods.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is a sweet, sticky liquid made from the sap of sugar maple trees. It’s a popular pancake and waffle topping.
Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a creamy or crunchy spread with a sticky texture, commonly used in sandwiches and as an ingredient in various recipes.
Caramel: Caramel is a sweet, sticky confection made by heating sugar. It’s used as a topping, filling, and flavor in a variety of desserts.
Toffee: Toffee is a hard, sticky candy made from sugar and butter, often coated with chocolate and nuts.
Molasses: Molasses is a thick, sticky syrup produced during sugar refining, used in baking, marinades, and traditional dishes like gingerbread cookies.
Glazed Doughnuts: Glazed doughnuts have a sweet, sticky icing that coats their surface, adding flavor and a smooth, sticky texture.
Candied Apples: Candied apples are fresh apples coated in a sticky, sugary syrup, often enjoyed at fairs and festivals.
Caramel Popcorn: Caramel popcorn is made by coating popped popcorn with a sticky, caramelized sugar mixture.
Syrup-Soaked Pancakes: Pancakes drizzled with maple syrup or other syrups have a sticky texture, making them a breakfast favorite.
Rice Krispies Treats: Rice Krispies treats are made by mixing melted marshmallows with crispy rice cereal, resulting in a sticky, chewy texture.
Liquorice: Licorice candy is a chewy and sticky confection with various flavors, often in the form of ropes or twists.
Mochi: Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice, creating a sticky, chewy texture. It’s often filled with sweet fillings or used in savory dishes.
Candy Corn: Candy corn is a popular, sticky candy with a honey-like texture, often enjoyed during Halloween.
Turkish Delight: Turkish delight is a soft, sticky confection made from starch and sugar, typically flavored with rosewater or fruit.
Cotton Candy: Cotton candy is a sweet, spun sugar confection with a light, sticky, and fluffy texture, often found at fairs and carnivals.
Gooey Butter Cake: Gooey butter cake is a dessert with a sweet, gooey, and sticky filling made from butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.
Chewing Gum: Chewing gum has a sticky texture that becomes more adhesive as it’s chewed. It’s often flavored and used for freshening breath.
Marmalade: Marmalade is a citrus fruit preserve with a slightly sticky, thick texture, commonly used as a spread for toast and pastries.
Sticky Rice: Sticky rice, also known as glutinous rice, has a chewy, sticky texture when cooked, often used in Asian dishes.
Jelly: Jelly is a sweet spread with a smooth but slightly sticky consistency, used on sandwiches, toast, and as a pastry filling.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake: Pineapple upside-down cake has a layer of sticky caramelized pineapple and cherries at the bottom.
Tamarind Paste: Tamarind paste is a sticky and tangy condiment used in various cuisines to add flavor to dishes and sauces.
Rice Pudding: Rice pudding is a creamy dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar, resulting in a slightly sticky, comforting texture.
Fig Newtons: Fig Newtons are soft, chewy cookies filled with fig paste, giving them a sticky texture.
Sticky Toffee Pudding: Sticky toffee pudding is a British dessert with a moist, sticky date sponge cake topped with toffee sauce.
Red Bean Paste: Red bean paste is a sweet and sticky filling made from cooked adzuki beans and sugar. It’s commonly used in Asian pastries, like buns and pancakes.
Sticky Tamarind Candy: Sticky tamarind candy is made from tamarind pulp mixed with sugar and spices, resulting in a chewy and tangy treat.
Date Squares: Date squares are dessert bars made with a sticky, sweet date filling between layers of crumbly crust.
Candied Yams: Candied yams are sweet potatoes cooked in a sticky syrup made from brown sugar, butter, and spices, often served as a side dish during holidays.
Gelato: Gelato is an Italian-style ice cream with a slightly sticky, creamy texture and intense flavor. It’s often enjoyed in various fruit and chocolate varieties.
Baklava: Baklava is a sweet pastry made from layers of filo dough, nuts, and honey, resulting in a flaky and sticky dessert popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Rocky Road Ice Cream: Rocky road ice cream is a creamy dessert with a slightly sticky texture, loaded with marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chunks.
Chia Pudding: Chia pudding is a healthy dessert made by soaking chia seeds in liquid until they create a slightly sticky and gel-like texture. It’s often served with fruits and honey.
Sticky Mango Rice: Sticky mango rice is a Thai dessert made from glutinous rice mixed with sweet coconut milk and ripe mango slices, resulting in a chewy, sweet, and sticky treat.
Butterscotch Pudding: Butterscotch pudding is a smooth, creamy dessert with a sticky and sweet butterscotch flavor, often served chilled.
Turron: Turron is a Spanish nougat confection with a sticky texture, typically made with honey, sugar, egg whites, and nuts.
Amaranth Popped Balls: Amaranth popped balls are snacks made from amaranth seeds and sweeteners, resulting in small, sticky clusters of grains.
Rice Cake with Red Bean Paste: Rice cakes with red bean paste are a traditional Korean dessert made with glutinous rice, creating a slightly sticky texture, and filled with sweet red bean paste.
Sticky Date Pudding: Sticky date pudding is a dessert made from moist date cake soaked in a rich, sticky toffee sauce, often served warm with ice cream.
Kozhukkatta: Kozhukkatta is a South Indian dumpling made from rice flour and jaggery, creating a sweet and sticky filling, often flavored with coconut.
Pecan Pie: Pecan pie is a classic dessert with a slightly sticky, gooey filling made from pecans, corn syrup, and sugar, served in a flaky pastry crust.
Dorayaki: Dorayaki is a Japanese confection consisting of two fluffy, pancake-like cakes with a sticky, sweet red bean paste filling.
Sticky Bun: Sticky buns are sweet rolls made with a sticky caramel glaze and typically contain nuts, raisins, or cinnamon.
Guava Paste: Guava paste is a sweet and sticky preserve made from guava fruit and sugar. It’s commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines.
Aebleskiver: Aebleskiver are Danish pancake balls with a slightly sticky, cake-like texture, often filled with fruits, chocolate, or jams.
Bubur Ketan Hitam: Bubur ketan hitam is an Indonesian dessert made from black glutinous rice and palm sugar, resulting in a sticky, sweet porridge.
Rhubarb Crisp: Rhubarb crisp is a dessert with a slightly sticky fruit filling, often made with rhubarb and sweetened with sugar and spices, topped with a crumbly crust.
Anzac Biscuits: Anzac biscuits are sweet, oat-based cookies with a sticky texture, traditionally made with golden syrup and desiccated coconut.
Pumpkin Butter: Pumpkin butter is a thick, spiced spread made from pumpkin puree and sugar, creating a slightly sticky, autumn-inspired treat.
Kulolo: Kulolo is a traditional Hawaiian dessert made from grated taro and coconut milk, resulting in a dense, sticky pudding.
Sago Pearls: Sago pearls are small, starchy spheres made from the pith of various types of palm trees. They are commonly used in desserts and beverages and have a slightly sticky texture when cooked. Sago pearls are often found in tropical and Asian cuisine, adding a unique and chewy consistency to drinks and puddings.
Caramel Sauce: Caramel sauce is a delectable, sweet sauce created by heating sugar until it melts and transforms into a rich, amber-colored syrup. With a luscious, slightly sticky texture, it’s a popular choice for drizzling over ice cream, cakes, and a variety of desserts, providing a delightful contrast of sweetness and smooth stickiness.
Blackcurrant Syrup: Blackcurrant syrup is a fruity elixir infused with the essence of ripe blackcurrants. Its slightly sticky texture lends itself perfectly to cocktails, mocktails, and desserts, where it imparts a burst of sweet-tart flavor and a touch of viscosity.
Butterscotch Syrup: Butterscotch syrup is a sweet, slightly sticky sauce made from a delightful combination of brown sugar and butter. Whether poured over pancakes, ice cream, or baked goods, it infuses a warm and comforting flavor, while its subtle stickiness adds to the pleasure of each bite.
Pomegranate Molasses: Pomegranate molasses is a tangy and slightly sticky syrup crafted from pomegranate juice. Common in Middle Eastern cuisine, this versatile condiment delivers both a nuanced tartness and a hint of thickness to dishes, making it a favorite drizzle for salads, meats, and desserts.
Blueberry Syrup: Blueberry syrup is a sweet, slightly sticky sauce derived from the essence of succulent blueberries, combined with sugar and often a touch of lemon juice. This thick, fruity syrup enhances breakfast favorites like pancakes and waffles, leaving a delightful impression of stickiness and berry goodness.
Agave Syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener with a fluid yet slightly sticky consistency, produced from the agave plant. Widely utilized as a healthier alternative to refined sugars, it brings a balanced sweetness and a touch of viscosity to various recipes, beverages, and snacks.
Red Wine Reduction: Red wine reduction is an exquisite sauce developed by simmering red wine until it thickens into a luxurious, slightly sticky texture. Frequently served with meats, it introduces an intense depth of flavor and a touch of stickiness to culinary creations.
Balsamic Glaze: Balsamic glaze is a dense, slightly sticky reduction of balsamic vinegar combined with sugar. Whether drizzled over salads, grilled vegetables, or even desserts, this rich syrup imparts a blend of sweet, tangy notes and an alluring stickiness.
Apricot Glaze: Apricot glaze is a delicately sticky sauce produced from apricot preserves or jelly, often used as a glaze for both sweet and savory dishes. With its charming sweetness and slight adherence, it enhances the presentation and flavor of a wide range of culinary creations.
Tamarind Sauce: Tamarind sauce is a zesty and slightly sticky condiment prepared from tamarind pulp, sugar, and spices. A staple in Asian and Latin American cuisine, it contributes an exceptional balance of tartness and thickness to dishes, elevating their taste profiles.
Pandan Syrup: Pandan syrup is a sweet and slightly sticky elixir infused with the fragrant essence of pandan leaves, frequently used in Southeast Asian desserts and beverages. Its mild stickiness complements the unique aroma, adding a delightful viscosity to a wide array of culinary treats.
Passion Fruit Syrup: Passion fruit syrup is a sweet and slightly sticky sauce concocted from the juice of ripe passion fruits, enhancing the flavor of drinks, desserts, and cocktails. It imbues creations with a tropical fruitiness and just the right touch of texture.
Honey Mustard Sauce: Honey mustard sauce is a versatile condiment with a smooth yet slightly sticky texture, created by blending honey and mustard with a selection of seasonings. Ideal for dipping, drizzling, or marinating, it imparts a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy notes with a subtle viscosity.
Raspberry Coulis: Raspberry coulis is a dense, slightly sticky sauce prepared by blending raspberries and sugar. It’s frequently employed as a drizzle for desserts and pastries, providing a vivid burst of sweet, tart flavors along with a modest stickiness that beautifully complements delicate creations.
Tahini Sauce: Tahini sauce is derived from ground sesame seeds and exhibits a slightly sticky consistency. A mainstay in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, this sauce offers a nutty richness and a touch of stickiness, making it an ideal complement for a diverse range of culinary delights.
Date Syrup: Date syrup is a sweet and slightly sticky elixir crafted from dates, commonly used as a natural sweetener in Middle Eastern and North African cuisines. Its unique flavor profile and mild viscosity elevate dishes and beverages alike.
Rose Syrup: Rose syrup is a sweet, slightly sticky elixir enhanced with the fragrant essence of rose petals. A beloved addition in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, it infuses a rosy sweetness and a subtle texture, enhancing both culinary creations and refreshing drinks.
Cherry Syrup: Cherry syrup is a sweet and slightly sticky sauce born from the lusciousness of cherries, often incorporated to infuse drinks and desserts with a fruity, slightly viscous charm.
Tartar Sauce: Tartar sauce is a condiment with a slightly sticky texture, composed of mayonnaise, pickles, and a medley of spices. Frequently accompanying seafood dishes, it bestows a harmonious blend of creaminess and subtle adherence, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Cranberry Glaze: Cranberry glaze is a slightly sticky sauce formed from cranberries, sugar, and additional flavorings. Often served alongside poultry and festive dishes, it contributes a delightful blend of sweet, tangy notes and a delicate touch of thickness.

Fabrics and Materials

Fabrics and materials that possess a sticky or adhesive feel are often chosen for specific purposes, such as grip or protection. Here’s a list of such materials:

Rubber: Rubber is known for its sticky and grippy texture, making it ideal for applications where traction and adhesion are essential, such as in the soles of shoes and various industrial uses.
Silicone: Silicone materials can have a slightly sticky or tacky feel, often used for non-slip grips on utensils, kitchenware, and as protective coatings.
Latex: Latex rubber can be sticky to the touch, and it’s frequently used in the production of gloves, elastic bands, and as a coating for various fabrics.
Adhesive Tape: Adhesive tape, including duct tape and electrical tape, is designed to be sticky, allowing it to bond with various surfaces and materials securely.
Sticky Gel Pads: These reusable adhesive gel pads have a slightly sticky texture that allows them to cling to surfaces without leaving residue, often used to secure items like phones or keys.
Vinyl: Vinyl fabric can have a slightly sticky feel, which makes it suitable for applications like upholstery, raincoats, and protective coverings.
Neoprene: Neoprene is a rubber-like material with a slightly sticky texture, commonly used in wetsuits, laptop sleeves, and orthopedic supports.
Suction Cups: Suction cups have a smooth yet slightly sticky texture that allows them to adhere to smooth surfaces when pressed against them.
Non-Slip Rug Pads: These rug pads often have a slightly sticky, tacky texture on one side to prevent rugs from sliding or bunching up on smooth flooring.
Sticky Back Plastic: Sticky back plastic, often used for covering and protecting surfaces, has an adhesive backing that adheres securely to various materials.
Grip-Tape: Grip tape is a type of adhesive material used on skateboards and other sports equipment to provide traction and a slightly sticky feel for better control.
Sticky Mesh: Certain mesh materials come with an adhesive backing to create a sticky surface, often used for temporary or semi-permanent applications.
Tacky Mats: Tacky mats have layers of adhesive sheets designed to capture dirt and contaminants on shoes, making them slightly sticky for improved cleanliness.
Tape Residue: Residue left by various types of tapes, like masking or duct tape, can result in a slightly sticky texture on surfaces where the tape was removed.
Shelf Liners: Some shelf liners have a slightly sticky or grippy texture to help keep items in place on shelves or drawers.
Rubberized Paint: Rubberized paint coatings have a sticky texture that can be applied to surfaces to provide enhanced grip or insulation.
Elastic Straps: Elastic straps with a rubberized or silicone coating can have a slightly sticky feel, providing a secure hold when fastened.
Non-Slip Shoe Soles: Certain shoe soles are designed with a slightly sticky, rubberized texture to prevent slipping on smooth or wet surfaces.
Gel Insoles: Gel insoles for shoes are made from a soft, slightly sticky material that provides cushioning and support while staying securely in place.
Self-Adhesive Felt: Self-adhesive felt is made with a slightly sticky backing, commonly used for protecting surfaces from scratches and providing cushioning.
Sticky Silicone Oven Mitts: Some oven mitts feature a silicone surface with a sticky feel, improving grip when handling hot cookware.
Tacky Placemats: Tacky placemats are designed with a slightly sticky underside to prevent them from sliding around on tables and countertops.
Silicone Pot Holders: Silicone pot holders have a slightly sticky surface, providing a secure grip when handling hot pots and pans.
Non-Slip Underlay: Non-slip underlay materials are engineered with a slightly sticky texture to keep area rugs and carpets in place on floors.
Adhesive-Backed Cork Sheets: Cork sheets with an adhesive backing can have a slightly sticky feel, used for crafts, bulletin boards, and other applications.

Substances

These sticky substances serve a wide range of purposes in various industries, from culinary delights and crafts to construction and everyday products.

Adhesive Glue: Various types of adhesive glues are sticky substances used for joining materials together in crafting, woodworking, and more.
Pectin: Pectin is a naturally occurring substance in fruits that, when cooked, creates a slightly sticky gel. It is used in making jams and jellies.
Tape Residue: Residue from various types of tapes, such as masking tape and duct tape, can leave behind a sticky substance when removed from surfaces.
Gum Arabic: Gum arabic is a natural sap from the acacia tree that can be dissolved in water to create a sticky substance. It is used in the food industry and in art as a binder for watercolors.
Resin: Resin is a viscous and sticky substance that can be solid or semi-solid. It is often used in crafting, woodworking, and as a coating for various objects.
Rice Glue: Rice glue is made by boiling rice to create a starchy, sticky adhesive that is often used in paper crafts and traditional Asian art.
Sap: The sap from various trees, such as pine or maple, is a naturally occurring sticky substance that can be used for making products like maple syrup or turpentine.
Adhesive Labels: Adhesive labels have a sticky backing that allows them to adhere to surfaces, making them useful for labeling products and items.
Epoxy Resin: Epoxy resin is a two-part adhesive that, when combined, creates a strong and slightly sticky substance used for bonding and sealing.
Slime: Slime is a gooey and sticky substance often made as a fun and sensory toy for children. It typically contains glue, water, and a binding agent.
Sticky Tack: Sticky tack is a reusable adhesive putty that is slightly sticky, making it ideal for temporarily attaching objects to walls or surfaces.
Adhesive Film: Adhesive films have a sticky backing and are commonly used to cover and protect surfaces, like books, furniture, and electronic screens.
Goo Gone: Goo Gone is a commercial solvent designed to remove sticky residues and adhesives left behind by stickers and labels.
Hot Melt Adhesive: Hot melt adhesive, often in the form of glue sticks, is a hot and sticky substance used with glue guns for bonding materials.
Syrup Residue: Residue left behind by various syrups, such as pancake syrup, can leave a slightly sticky substance on surfaces when not cleaned properly.
Tree Pitch: Tree pitch or resin is a sticky substance that exudes from tree bark and is sometimes used for its adhesive properties in various applications.
Tar: Tar is a thick, black, and sticky substance derived from organic materials, such as coal and wood. It is used for road construction and as a sealant.
Candle Wax Residue: Residue from candle wax can leave a slightly sticky substance on surfaces when candles are burned and the wax drips.
Lip Gloss: Lip gloss is a cosmetic product with a slightly sticky texture, often used to add shine and moisture to the lips.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel is a soothing and slightly sticky substance derived from the aloe plant, used for its healing properties on the skin.
Adhesive Bandages: Adhesive bandages, commonly known as Band-Aids, have a sticky backing that adheres to the skin to protect and cover wounds.
Sugaring Paste: Sugaring paste is a natural, slightly sticky substance made from sugar, water, and lemon juice, used for hair removal in a similar manner to wax.
Pine Tar: Pine tar is a sticky substance derived from pine trees and is used in various applications, such as in soaps, shampoos, and as a wood preservative.
Adhesive Putty: Adhesive putty is a pliable and slightly sticky substance used for temporarily mounting objects, posters, and decorations on walls.
Bubble Solution: Bubble solution is made with a slightly sticky mixture of water, dish soap, and glycerin to create bubbles when blown through a wand.
Acrylic Pouring Medium: Acrylic pouring medium is a slightly sticky substance used in fluid art to create a smooth, flowing consistency for acrylic paints.
Double-Sided Tape: Double-sided tape has adhesive on both sides, making it a slightly sticky material used for joining surfaces or attaching items.

Substrates

These substrates with sticky surfaces offer a wide range of applications in various industries, from labeling and crafting to organization and decorative projects.

Sticky Labels: Sticky labels are adhesive-backed paper or plastic substrates used for labeling products, packages, and containers.
Adhesive Foam: Adhesive foam sheets have a sticky backing, making them suitable for cushioning, insulation, and crafts.
Sticky Pads: Sticky pads, often known as sticky notes or Post-it notes, are adhesive-backed pieces of paper used for temporary notes and reminders.
Adhesive Fabric Sheets: Adhesive fabric sheets come with a sticky backing, commonly used for crafting, decorating, and appliqué work.
Sticky Back Plastic: Sticky back plastic, often used for covering and protecting surfaces, features an adhesive backing.
Double-Sided Adhesive Sheets: Double-sided adhesive sheets have sticky surfaces on both sides, allowing for adhesion between two materials.
Adhesive Decals: Adhesive decals are stickers with a sticky backing, typically used for decorating walls, windows, and vehicles.
Sticky EVA Foam: Sticky EVA foam sheets have a sticky backing and are used in crafting, scrapbooking, and creative projects.
Adhesive-backed Canvas: Adhesive-backed canvas sheets are used for printing and creating custom canvas art with sticky backings for easy mounting.
Sticky Felt Sheets: Sticky felt sheets are used for crafting, providing the convenience of felt with an adhesive backing.
Adhesive Photo Paper: Adhesive photo paper has a sticky backing, allowing printed photos to be easily mounted or placed in albums.
Sticky Gel Pads: Sticky gel pads are reusable adhesive pads with sticky surfaces, ideal for securing items like phones, keys, and small objects to surfaces.
Adhesive Shelf Liners: Adhesive shelf liners feature a sticky backing, used for lining shelves and drawers to protect surfaces and prevent items from sliding.
Sticky Rubber Mats: Sticky rubber mats have adhesive surfaces designed to provide traction and grip, often used in industrial and commercial settings.

Plants

Plants with sticky properties often develop adhesive substances on their surfaces for various purposes, such as trapping insects, deterring herbivores, or aiding in pollination. Here’s a list of plants with sticky properties:

Sundew: Sundews are carnivorous plants with sticky tentacles on their leaves to capture and digest insects.
Venus Flytrap: The Venus flytrap is another carnivorous plant that uses sticky surfaces on its leaves to trap and consume insects.
Pitcher Plant: Pitcher plants have tubular leaves with a sticky liquid at the bottom, attracting and trapping insects that are then digested.
Butterwort: Butterworts are carnivorous plants with sticky leaves that capture small insects.
Sticky Sundew: This sundew species has sticky, glandular hairs on its leaves to capture insects.
Milkweed: Milkweed plants have milky, sticky latex sap that is toxic to herbivores and serves as a host plant for monarch butterflies.
Common Catchfly: Common catchfly has sticky stems and leaves, which help it catch and consume insects.
Lavender: Certain lavender varieties produce fragrant, sticky resins, which are used in perfumes and aromatherapy.
Sticky Geranium: Sticky geranium plants have glandular hairs on their leaves that exude a sticky substance to deter herbivores.
Sticky Monkey Flower: The sticky monkey flower produces sticky, glandular hairs on its leaves, which are thought to deter herbivores.
Bladderwort: Bladderworts are aquatic or semi-aquatic plants that have small, bladder-like traps with sticky hairs to catch tiny aquatic organisms.
Dewy Pine: The dewy pine, a rare and endangered plant, has sticky leaves that trap insects in alpine environments.
Australian Sundew: Australian sundews, like the common sundew, have sticky leaves to catch and digest insects.
Sticky Nightshade: This plant produces sticky berries that are toxic to many animals but attract birds, which help in seed dispersal.
Thyme: Some thyme varieties produce sticky aromatic oils on their leaves, which are used in cooking and for their medicinal properties.

Animals

Animals with sticky parts or properties have evolved various mechanisms to adhere to surfaces, capture prey, or navigate their environments. Here’s a comprehensive list of such animals:

Gecko: Geckos have adhesive toe pads covered in millions of tiny, sticky hair-like structures called setae that allow them to climb walls and walk on ceilings.
Tree Frog: Certain tree frog species have sticky toe pads, which they use to cling to leaves and branches in their arboreal habitats.
Barnacle: Barnacles are marine crustaceans that attach themselves to various substrates, like rocks, ships, and even other animals, using adhesive cement.
Leaf Insect: Leaf insects possess sticky tarsal pads that help them adhere to leaves and mimic the appearance of plant foliage.
Firefly Larvae: Firefly larvae use their adhesive silk threads to capture and immobilize prey, such as snails and small insects.
Slime Eel (Hagfish): Hagfish produce copious amounts of sticky slime when threatened, helping them escape predators by clogging their gills.
Sea Cucumber: Some sea cucumbers have sticky tube feet that allow them to anchor themselves to the seafloor and crawl slowly.
Stick Insect: Stick insects have sticky pads on their legs, which help them mimic twigs and branches as they move slowly through their environment.
Bolas Spider: Bolas spiders dangle a sticky “bolas” on a silk thread, which they swing to capture flying moths attracted to the scent of the bolas.
Dragonfly Nymph: Dragonfly nymphs have extendable, adhesive mouthparts used to grasp and consume aquatic prey, such as mosquito larvae.
Sticky Frogfish: Frogfish use a modified dorsal spine with a lure (esca) covered in a sticky substance to attract and catch prey.
Snail: Snails produce a trail of mucus as they move, which allows them to adhere to surfaces and glide along.
Limpet: Limpets are marine mollusks that use a muscular foot to create a vacuum seal on rocks, keeping them securely attached.
Sea Star (Starfish): Sea stars use adhesive tube feet to attach themselves to various substrates and to pry open shellfish for feeding.
Clingfish: Clingfish have specialized pelvic fins that create suction, enabling them to adhere to rocks and navigate in turbulent water.
Tarsier: Tarsiers have adhesive toe pads, like geckos, which assist in their tree-dwelling lifestyle, allowing them to leap between branches.
Planthopper Nymphs: Planthopper nymphs excrete a sticky, waxy substance that forms a protective shell around them as they feed on plant sap.
Ant Lion Larvae: Ant lion larvae construct pitfall traps in loose sand and use their sticky jaws to capture ants or other insects that fall into the pit.
Koala: Koalas have adhesive pads on their hands and feet to help them grip tree branches when climbing and perching.
Nematocyst: Nematocysts are specialized stinging cells found in the tentacles of jellyfish and hydroids, which deliver a paralyzing venom to prey.
Spiny-Headed Worm (Acanthocephala): Spiny-headed worms have adhesive proboscises that they use to attach to the intestines of their hosts.
Rat-tailed Maggot: Rat-tailed maggots, the larvae of certain hoverflies, have a long “tail” that acts as a breathing tube and adhesive organ to cling to submerged surfaces.
Leech: Leeches secrete a mucus that contains a natural adhesive, allowing them to anchor themselves to their host while feeding.
Leafcutter Ant: Leafcutter ants use a sticky saliva to bond leaf fragments together, creating their nest structure.
Beetle Larvae: Some beetle larvae produce sticky silk threads to attach debris and camouflage themselves while feeding.
Trapdoor Spider: Trapdoor spiders create and seal burrow entrances with a hinged, sticky trapdoor, concealing themselves from predators and prey.
Rove Beetle: Rove beetles can produce a chemical secretion that acts as a sticky defense against predators, causing attackers to become trapped.
Gall Wasp: Gall wasps induce plant galls by laying eggs in plant tissues. The developing larvae produce a sticky substance within the gall.
Antlion Larvae: Antlion larvae construct conical pits in sand and use their adhesive jaws to capture ants or other prey that fall into the pit.
Blue Glaucus: The blue glaucus sea slug can secrete a sticky substance on its body to ensnare and consume its prey, such as jellyfish.
Green Tree Ant: Green tree ants use silk to create nests by binding leaves together, forming a protected and adhesive structure.
Whip Spider (Amblypygi): Whip spiders have adhesive pads on their legs that help them cling to surfaces while hunting for prey.
Stonefly Nymph: Stonefly nymphs have adhesive pads on their legs that allow them to cling to submerged rocks in fast-flowing streams.
Owlet Moth Larvae (Slug Caterpillar): Some owlet moth larvae possess adhesive bristles, which can cause irritation upon contact.
Woolly Bear Caterpillar: Woolly bear caterpillars have microscopic adhesive structures on their feet that help them grip surfaces and navigate.
Antarctic Krill: Antarctic krill use a sticky excretion to form swarms and to feed on phytoplankton.
Jumping Spider: Jumping spiders have adhesive silk threads that they use as lifelines, allowing them to dangle or climb while exploring.
Leafcutter Bee (Megachile spp.): Leafcutter bees use pieces of leaves and their adhesive saliva to build protective nest cells for their larvae.
Housefly Maggots: Housefly maggots secrete a sticky digestive fluid to help them liquefy and consume organic matter.
Silken Web Worm (Spilosoma congrua): Silken web worm caterpillars have adhesive silk threads they use to balloon away from their host plant in search of new food sources.

We hope this list of sticky things was useful and that you found what you needed!

We did our best to cover all of the varied meanings of “sticky” with our visual gallery of sticky things and descriptive list. But if you feel there’s something we missed, please feel free to let us know and leave a comment.

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