Comments on: Singin’ a Song of Spiders http://www.birderslounge.com/2009/11/singin-a-song-of-spiders/ Birds | Nature | Conservation Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:25:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Amber Coakley http://www.birderslounge.com/2009/11/singin-a-song-of-spiders/comment-page-1/#comment-2823 Amber Coakley Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:36:57 +0000 http://www.birderslounge.com/?p=3205#comment-2823 I've checked a couple of books and looked around on the web, and it looks like some species of spiders are known to engage in "filial cannibalism," which is eating their young. Apparently, there are many observed combinations of male and female spiders eating spiderlings, the spiderlings eating each other, and even a species where the spiderlings eat the mother (who has already passed away). My overall impression from what I've read is that spiders lay lots of eggs so that the species will survive the many perils of their youth, but they generally have more to fear from other predators. This behavior is not unique to spiders - frogs are another example. Quiz in 5 minutes. :-) I’ve checked a couple of books and looked around on the web, and it looks like some species of spiders are known to engage in “filial cannibalism,” which is eating their young. Apparently, there are many observed combinations of male and female spiders eating spiderlings, the spiderlings eating each other, and even a species where the spiderlings eat the mother (who has already passed away). My overall impression from what I’ve read is that spiders lay lots of eggs so that the species will survive the many perils of their youth, but they generally have more to fear from other predators. This behavior is not unique to spiders – frogs are another example. Quiz in 5 minutes. :-)

]]> By: Yosista http://www.birderslounge.com/2009/11/singin-a-song-of-spiders/comment-page-1/#comment-2806 Yosista Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:22:29 +0000 http://www.birderslounge.com/?p=3205#comment-2806 Masista, I have heard that most of the spider babies hatched get eaten by the mother ... is that only true for certain species? Masista, I have heard that most of the spider babies hatched get eaten by the mother … is that only true for certain species?

]]> By: Ted C. MacRae http://www.birderslounge.com/2009/11/singin-a-song-of-spiders/comment-page-1/#comment-2041 Ted C. MacRae Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:26:17 +0000 http://www.birderslounge.com/?p=3205#comment-2041 Awesome photos and post. Jason has nailed all the IDs, so I have little of value to add other than to say once again, awesome photos! Awesome photos and post. Jason has nailed all the IDs, so I have little of value to add other than to say once again, awesome photos!

]]> By: Amber Coakley http://www.birderslounge.com/2009/11/singin-a-song-of-spiders/comment-page-1/#comment-2038 Amber Coakley Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:08:20 +0000 http://www.birderslounge.com/?p=3205#comment-2038 Thanks so much, Jason. Today was really exciting, because I walked over for a closer look at the spot where the Lynx spider had been. I saw the brown egg sac, and it had spider babies! (spiderlings?) I looked even closer, and was astonished to see that the mother was still there! I thought she looked a bit shrunken...but I went to get my camera anyway. When I came back - no mom spider...until I looked down the stalk. She was alive! Woohoo! I got lots of pictures - Will post an update soon. :-) Thanks so much, Jason. Today was really exciting, because I walked over for a closer look at the spot where the Lynx spider had been. I saw the brown egg sac, and it had spider babies! (spiderlings?)

I looked even closer, and was astonished to see that the mother was still there! I thought she looked a bit shrunken…but I went to get my camera anyway. When I came back – no mom spider…until I looked down the stalk. She was alive! Woohoo! I got lots of pictures – Will post an update soon. :-)

]]> By: jason http://www.birderslounge.com/2009/11/singin-a-song-of-spiders/comment-page-1/#comment-2031 jason Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:14:22 +0000 http://www.birderslounge.com/?p=3205#comment-2031 Absolutely spectacular! Spiders don't get the respect they deserve--and I have a major crush on them (like most critters, I know, but true spiders really hold a special place in my list of loves). <i>Argiope aurantia</i> is one of my favorites for its intimidating size and docile personality--not to mention its beauty. You've really done a fabulous job of capturing that in all of these photos. Wow! Your little spider looks like a lined orbweaver (<i>Mangora gibberosa</i>). The angle makes it a bit hard to say for certain, but it's definitely an orb weaver (yes, call me a master of the obvious!). And no doubt the coolest spider in the state with its translucent glass-like spotted legs and ambush wait-and-take hunting approach, the green lynx spider (<i>Peucetia viridans</i>). She's a marvelous specimen, Amber! What a stunning post... Absolutely spectacular! Spiders don’t get the respect they deserve–and I have a major crush on them (like most critters, I know, but true spiders really hold a special place in my list of loves).

Argiope aurantia is one of my favorites for its intimidating size and docile personality–not to mention its beauty. You’ve really done a fabulous job of capturing that in all of these photos. Wow!

Your little spider looks like a lined orbweaver (Mangora gibberosa). The angle makes it a bit hard to say for certain, but it’s definitely an orb weaver (yes, call me a master of the obvious!).

And no doubt the coolest spider in the state with its translucent glass-like spotted legs and ambush wait-and-take hunting approach, the green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans). She’s a marvelous specimen, Amber!

What a stunning post…

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