What The Duck?!

Spiders: the ultimate assassins

Apr 18, 2025
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ANECDOTE

Ant Slayer Spider Acrobatics

  • Alfonso Aceves-Aparicio discovered the ant slayer spider capturing large ants using acrobatic jumps and adhesive silk.
  • He observed a tiny spider hanging a massive ant from a silk thread, performing gravity-defying moves to trap it.
INSIGHT

Spider's Silk Throw Hunting

  • Ant slayer spiders use their hind legs to throw sticky silk onto ants while tumbling down the tree trunk.
  • This jump protects the spider from ant defenses while securing the prey with silk.
ANECDOTE

Ogre-Faced Spider Net Casting

  • Jay Stafstrom studies ogre-faced spiders that use large eyes and a unique net to catch prey at night.
  • He blindfolded spiders temporarily to discover they rely on hearing to catch flying insects.
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