If even the tiniest spiders make your skin crawl, with all due respect I suggest skipping this post. I filmed the video at bottom in my garden. Should you watch, know that the two jumping spiders were so small I couldn’t guarantee they are the same species (like I would know, anyway), yet this seemed like a male attempting courtship.
With fingers crossed, I hope she spawns. You can probably guess that I’ve become extremely fond of jumping spiders. While the females choose their partner and when they mate, this dance struck me as nonlethal for the failed suitor, who could have become her next meal.
Preying mantids (another insect breed I favor) share this lethal characteristic along with their hunting expertise and precision eyesight. They are among the few tiny creatures who actively acknowledge a human presence. And if I’m not mistaken, the larger female spider noticed me (!) at my short clip’s end.
A few days ago my husband and I watched this scientific video featuring jumping spider vision. It’s over half an hour, so don’t feel compelled to watch. But if you’re a science geek I suggest spending the time.
Do you know some people keep these little critters as pets? Are you prone to notice tiny animal interactions surrounding you?
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Oops, sorry, I had to skip the video, sorry, no spiders YIKES!
ReplyDeleteI had you in mind when I posted this. ~hugs~ No worries.
DeleteThe other day I was working with a student teacher, and he showed me a whole TikTok trend of people keeping these spiders as pets. He was tempted to get one even though he's scared of spiders generally. But he thought these are cute.
ReplyDeleteOur jumping spiders are so huge, we live in terror of them. 🤨Fortunately I am high off the ground, too high for them to jump up, in spite of their powerful legs that can launch them metres into the air.
ReplyDeleteI feel a lot of pleasure when lady birds visit my balcony. There's nothing to attract them, so its just a random place to take a break.
A friend in Lebanon posted an awesome video of a jumping spider she'd even named. The spider would respond to her. It's on facebook so not sure I can share it to you here.
ReplyDeleteHi Darla, that is such a cool video! You are very observant! Thank you so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I wouldn't enjoy keeping any insects as pets, I do like to watch them! I particularly like ladybugs because of their lovely colours and patterns.
Although I am sure we have plenty of spiders here in Montreal, I don't see too many. But they are there. I mostly see ants but because it is such a big city you don't see them as often as perhaps in the country.
I wouldn't say that spiders (in any form or size) make my skin crawl, but although I do love the webs they make (they are amazing architects!), I don't see them very often. I do love the fact that they "take care" of other insects...such as mosquitoes, for example, which is good, because getting a mosquito bite can sometimes lead to illness such as Lyme disease.
Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I absolutely love the adorable kitten in your profile pic, as well as your blog background!
Cool video. I love spiders. I did know about keeping jumping ones as pets because I have been tempted to purchase an enclosure they sell on Amazon. :) XO
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