Most spiders just hang out in a web. But jumping spiders…it seems like there’s something going on in there. Like they’re figuring something out.
They are absolutely fascinating. Sure, I’m certain a lot of videos ham it up a bit because of the way they look around and do certain things but generally animals with that much visual acuity have a lot of processing power to deal with the info so its not a far stretch at all to imagine there is something more to their intelligence.
Spiders in the genus Portia show behaviour which is really fascinating, not only do they use their eyes to actively hunt but they ‘plan’ attack routes - they can see their prey, plan a route to get closer, which involves breaking line of sight for extended periods yet still remember where to go and where the prey was. They also exhibit strong learning traits and pattern recognition. Absolutely fascinating, and adorable, things. I really want to get a pet jumping spider, one of the big ones.
The are definitely figuring stuff out!
Seem very smart also.
I really like jumping spiders. They are fun to be around and have in the house. I just wish they were more common here, but instead we have widow spiders that make me nervous when I work around them. I just try to pretend they are friendly, too…
They are pretty friendly and also quite considerate. Females, when they aren’t disturbed and find enough food, often spend their entire life in their web and never leaving it. So it’s not actually that big of a deal to have some in or around your house if you know where they are and leave them alone. The males do wander around sometimes, but they are actually harmless.
They’re also the cutest spiders so they get a pass. The wolf spiders better stay hidden though (plus they hunt the other spider tenants that actually eat the bugs I don’t want in my house)
The only spiders I like.
They’re also the smartest, and are an excellent way to work toward wearing down visceral fear toward spiders. Their personalities and forward-facing eyes make it a lot easier to understand them. You can see what they’re looking at, and their observant little movements make them come across as curious in a way that’s absolutely adorable once you get used to the legs.
I would strongly urge anyone who is fearful of spiders to have some interactions with jumping spiders. It can go a long way toward making you feel at peace with animals that are always around us and mean us no harm.
I briefly enjoyed this same revelation until it jumped onto my face.
I’ve been trying this since I had an encounter with one a few years back and noticed how frickin cute they actually are. They have this very interesting way of moving, like a robot, plus they have baby animal proportions making them appear cute. And if you observe them for a bit you’ll notice them observing you right back. You can almost see the gears turning in their little heads.
I still have a pretty severe case of arachnophobia but it has gotten heaps better with just watching these cute little spider puppies from a safe distance.
Jumping spiders challenge a lot of we used to think about spiders. There are so many unique and amazing things about them, especially concerning their intelligence:
Its crazy that they dream, and their front big eyes are basically telephoto lenses that can move in their head and even rotate, so cool!
They also have the most amazing eyes in the animal kingdom. We’re pretty sure that they have depth perception based on the different refractive indices of light.
Which not only gives them depth perception, but depth perception using only a single eye.
They’re some of the cutest, too!
Well, yeah, that’s natural selection. The cute ones tend to have higher career salaries on average, so they are able to attract female spiders to mate with.
Goddamnit, even on a post about spiders we gotta bring in this incel shit?
I’m tired, boss.
It could not be more obviously a joke.
Why does every topic necessitate a joke about women wanting men with money?
WHY?
We’re talking about spiders ffs
Gold digger jokes aren’t even clever anymore, like at least have more creativity jesus christ
In fairness I would love a woman with money
what an extreme reaction to such an innocuous joke. don’t die on the hill of being “that guy”
Oh no, I’m being a killjoy for all the jokes about misogyny, rape, and pedophilia in this site?
Yeah I’m the one in the wrong.
I’ve got messages in my inbox justifying electing a rapist regardless of political identity and we can’t even talk about spiders without someone making jokes about how shitty women are.
Whatever.
The second largest family of spiders are literally the “money spiders”.
That justifies making misogynistic jokes, you’re right /s
You should consider some gold digging, maybe you can buy yourself a sense of humour.
My god shut the fuck up
They’re so adorable, very smart as well. Their spacial awareness is insane.
::::3
👉👉👉👈👈👈
All spiders are jumping spiders if you get scared enough. 😱
And they’re so damn cute too
Neat! Just finished a book about spiders, that despite being sci-fi, made me appreciate them more. Children of time, for those that want to check it out.
Highly recommended book series
Reading them feels like going on an adventure
I too thought of Portia immediately on reading this headline!
As someone with arachnophobia, this is deeply troubling the information.
Thanks for letting me know that the most terrifying subtype of the most terrifying type of insect is also the most common.
I won’t be sleeping for a week
Thanks for letting me know that the most terrifying subtype of the most terrifying type of insect is also the most common.
I feel like for most people, a jumping spider would be outranked by a giant huntsman, and those are pretty uncommon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_huntsman_spider
The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) is a species of the huntsman spider family Sparassidae found in Laos.[3] It is considered the world’s largest spider by leg span,[3] which can reach up to 30 cm (1 ft).[4]
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhg
No need to worry, they’re not insects, they’re arachnids.
phew
