Spider builds life-sized decoys

bbc ^ | 6 July 2009 | Matt Walker

[JoeProBono]

There is a species of spider that builds models of itself, which it uses as decoys to distract predators. The spider may be the first example of an animal building a life-size replica of its own body. So believe the scientists who made the discovery, which is published in the journal Animal Behaviour. The arachnid's behaviour also offers one explanation for why many spiders like to decorate their webs with strange-looking ornaments.

[JoeProBono]

An adult C. mulmeinensis alongside decoy prey pellets (L) and decoy egg sacs (R)

[La Lydia]

...why many spiders like to decorate their webs with strange-looking ornaments...

Maybe they just have horrible taste.

[never4get]

...I wonder how much this useless study cost?

[a fool in paradise]

That's only because he can't afford the really cool model kits of kustom cars...

[a fool in paradise]

Octopi will collect up unusual items from the ocean floor too.

[americanophile]

[a fool in paradise]

What would that spider do if it was addicted to crack?

[JoeProBono]

[Tax-chick]

Hmmmmm

[envisio]

UHG! I hate reading articles when written like this.

There are 27 paragraphs in that article and all but 3 are single sentence paragraphs.

The writer starts a new paragraph with each sentence.

UHG!

[Domandred]

Why oh why did I click this thread. Heebee jeebees

[exist]

OMG that is freaking gross. This is one of those times I wish I didn’t know what I now know.

[Darksheare]

Sensor sweep, full power ping.

[dangerdoc]

bump

[Vendome]

That is cool! I want one. What is it?

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[dfwgator]

Well it worked in “Blazing Saddles.”

[Vendome]

I cannot you gave me the gay spiderman. Dang it! lol

[Dudoight]

Well it worked in “Blazing Saddles.”

So true! I love ‘Blazing Saddles”. I also find spiders fascinating, some are even cute like little teddy bears.