The Pulsating Spider
November 12, 2016 10:17 PM Subscribe
The mystery of the pulsating spider : "During my years in the field, I had recorded numerous instances of micro-movements in spider abdomens. While most are just really tiny unnoticeable movements on the spider's heart line, one particular spider stood out with swirling or pulsating movements in the abdomen and visible with the naked eye."
Holy moly. Thanks for this, I had no idea and now I'm sure my subconscious is hard at work figuring the best way to integrate them into nightmares. I don't care, still worth it.
posted by bigbigdog at 11:35 PM on November 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by bigbigdog at 11:35 PM on November 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
In other spider news: they found a leaf mimicking spider in China. (link to open access pdf, see figures)
posted by dhruva at 12:12 AM on November 13, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by dhruva at 12:12 AM on November 13, 2016 [10 favorites]
Holy crap dhruva, that's awesome. Pretty sure evolution is teaching us that eventually 50% of whatever you observe will be a spider.
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:27 AM on November 13, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:27 AM on November 13, 2016 [6 favorites]
The Magic School Bus taught me I'm never more than three feet from a spider. I am beginning to suspect this is because one of my feet is a spider.
posted by bigbigdog at 1:18 AM on November 13, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by bigbigdog at 1:18 AM on November 13, 2016 [12 favorites]
Pretty sure evolution is teaching us that eventually 50% of whatever you observe will be a spider.
The other 50% is just mimic octopuses pretending to be spiders to confuse predators.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:50 AM on November 13, 2016 [12 favorites]
The other 50% is just mimic octopuses pretending to be spiders to confuse predators.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:50 AM on November 13, 2016 [12 favorites]
Spider photographer Nicky Bay previously on MeFi.
posted by TedW at 3:49 AM on November 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by TedW at 3:49 AM on November 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
Mostly I'm not afraid of spiders.
Mostly.
Too often I learn something I'm embarrassed or surprised to learn.
Spider legs are hydraulic.
posted by vapidave at 3:51 AM on November 13, 2016 [4 favorites]
Mostly.
Too often I learn something I'm embarrassed or surprised to learn.
Spider legs are hydraulic.
posted by vapidave at 3:51 AM on November 13, 2016 [4 favorites]
Spiders are marvelous creatures. The more we learn, the more amazing they become.
posted by winna at 5:27 AM on November 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by winna at 5:27 AM on November 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
I saw this post and thought, "I bet dhruva would be interested in this!" And so he was.
I always like your spider posts. =)
posted by curious nu at 5:36 AM on November 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
I always like your spider posts. =)
posted by curious nu at 5:36 AM on November 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
Mystery of the Pulsating Spider was my least favorite Nancy Drew book.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:38 AM on November 13, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:38 AM on November 13, 2016 [10 favorites]
Don't count on cats to be your ally against spiders.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:28 AM on November 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:28 AM on November 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
this is fine
posted by thelonius at 9:05 AM on November 13, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 9:05 AM on November 13, 2016 [3 favorites]
Really looks like hatchlings crawling around on -- and in -- an infested praying mantis head.
posted by jamjam at 9:31 AM on November 13, 2016
posted by jamjam at 9:31 AM on November 13, 2016
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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 11:00 PM on November 12, 2016