Sep

9

Inspired by the market if touched order and the trapdoor spider, I have been studying spiders with a view to the lessons they can teach. The following has been helpful to me. Spiders on Wikipedia. I find that the spider has many methods of capturing prey and avoiding predators. Some use speed, some use the web. Almost all the orders that are used in the market seem to have counterparts in the spider's arsenal. The limit order to me is the normal one we see when the prey gets caught in the web and can't get out.

The spider is particularly adept at signaling other predators like birds not to mess with it by attaching pieces to its web. Many use deception. They are often captured by wasps and other insects that pretend to be prey. They have a very clever path they follow to get to their prey without destroying it.

I am interested in what you might think we can learn from spiders.

Gary Rogan writes: 

I have always found the web weaving spiders to be more fascinating. The ratio of the created object complexity to creator complexity for the web has got to be close

Pitt T. Maner III writes: 

In the South we learn about the secretive, brown recluse spider and its reputation at an early age. Even though it does not use a web to catch prey it's a fascinating creature too. According to the second article below the spiders are developing generations more quickly this summer due to the extreme heat.

1)

"In nature, brown recluse spiders live outdoors under rocks, logs, woodpiles and debris. The spider is also well adapted to living indoors with humans. They are resilient enough to withstand winters in unheated basements and stifling summer temperatures in attics, persisting many months without food or water. The brown recluse hunts at night seeking insect prey, either alive or dead. It does not employ a web to capture food — webs strung along walls, ceilings, outdoor vegetation, and in other exposed areas are nearly always associated with other types of spiders."

2) 

One man in Omaha has witnessed the infestation of brown recluse spiders first hand. Dylan Baumann has so far counted 40 brown recluse spiders within his home, "in the entryway, the bedroom, under the fridge." Despite living with such dangerous roommates, Baumann has yet to be bitten."They are called recluse for a reason – they can fall far back in the walls once you use poison and I'm told they can go for up to nine months without eating," Baumann said, adding he has called his landlord "about five times."
 

Jeff Watson writes: 

In my part of the South and on my coast, we are constantly on guard for the Huntsman spider. They have a painful bite and are toxic but human hospitalization is rare… A recluse bite is much more damaging. Huntsman don't build a web, but catch prey using speed and ambush. The huntsman has legs resembling a crab, and is fast, extremely fast. Huntsmans also grow up to be bigger than the size of your hand, legs and body. They eat palmetto bugs, larger insects, small lizards, small frogs and toads. The mothers carry the children in an egg sack, which contain a few hundred babies. It is very disquieting to find one on the wall above your bed (and have it escape), which happens every once in awhile.


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3 Comments so far

  1. Lon L on September 10, 2012 8:17 am

    I hate spiders.

    I just bought a new home and while walking around the property I noticed a few larger type webs. It delights me to think about next weekend and me and my high pressure power washer vs their dumb silk webs. I am sure my edge in technology will allow me to be victorious.

    When doing exterior carpentry I will not hesitate to smash a spider, even a harmless one, with my framing hammer. They are amazing works of nature, these framing hammers. Even a large gnarly looking spider will not survive a partial strike.

    I wonder if the big boys consider me their spider. I wonder if they take equal delight in smashing me from a solid into a liquid state with their framing hammers when the opportunity presents itself.

    Bastards.

  2. steve on September 10, 2012 1:39 pm

    Here is some music to go along with this article. David Bowie Ziggy Stardust http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXq5VvYAI1Q

  3. Ed on September 10, 2012 5:43 pm

    Why is it that a large spider appears so ugly that it gives me chills simply to look at, yet I have no problem handling and eating crabs/lobsters, which are similarly odd looking?

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