A visit from my favourite genus of spider: Salticidae

[Snowblithe]

After lightning up my cigar yesterday I was about to start reading but this little guy was busy exploring the new landscape. According to my reference material he is a male Pelegrina flavipedes, or similar species in the salticidae genus, more commonly known as jumping spiders. They don’t build webs as they are solitary hunters but they do use an anchor thread for safety when they make risky hops. I think they are just charming creatures so here are a couple photos and a video of its antics:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/tpLSkWbsf9g?feature=share

 

[deluxestogie]

The video says it's private. You'll need to change the settings in youtube.

Bob

 

[Snowblithe]

Should work now

 

[Snowblithe]

You might notice how intentional the jump is; he first clears his vision with his pedipalp and just before launching dabs his spinnerets on the book to establish his safety line.

 

[tullius]

salticidae

Similar etymology to saltimbocca, just a lot less meat

 

[Snowblithe]

Similar etymology to saltimbocca, just a lot less meat

Indeed, though contrary to the popular spider myth, and MUCH unlike saltimbocca, these won’t voluntarily jump into your mouth so many odd times a year.

 

[deluxestogie]

"...photo...shows a jumping spider (E. arcuata) exhibiting leg curling during a REM sleep-like state."

Do spiders sleep? Study suggests they may snooze like humans

It's a question that keeps some scientists awake at night: Do spiders sleep?

phys.org

 

[deluxestogie]

A deeper question might be, "What is rapid eye movement like for a creature with immobile eyes?" and do spiders dream? If so, what do they dream about? (Maybe, the one that got away.)

Bob

 

[Snowblithe]

Amazingly, salticidaes' eyes, while they don't move externally, have retinae that can pivot and track objects without the spider having to move its head (cephalothorax). That is how these mad scientists can detect 'REM', though RRM would be more accurate. And I imagine they dream of a white Christmas:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYFQQB9vqPw