October, the month that starts off with pumpkin flavoured everything and ends with the most bone chilling night of the year, particularly in Alberta where many of us have spent Halloween night trick or treating in the snowy cold. One wild neighbour that is featured in many spooky decorations is the dreaded spider. Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, is probably the most well-known phobia word in the books. But do these eight- legged wonders of nature deserve the hate and fear that humans have spun upon them? I recently met a spider dressed in its Halloween best that might convince you otherwise.
I had just turned on the faucet at work. When the water hit the sink I realized all too late that what looked like a small bit of fluff might actually be alive. I shut off the tap and, using a paper towel as a lifesaver, extracted what turned out to be a small spider. Spiders have two body parts and eight legs. The distinct two giant central eyes between six smaller eyes made this one recognizable as a jumping spider, but this was like none I had ever seen before. It had a coal black body. It looked as though it were wearing orange shorts on its four back legs and its white tipped feet complimented its white pedipalps. It was a Euophrys monadnock, the most handsome jumping spider I’ve yet to meet.
This little fellow has all the amazing features of the jumping spider family. Its two larger eyes can see incredible detail despite their small size (they are after all on a spider’s head). This is due to the eyes actually being tubes that act like telescopes with two separate lenses in each that can focus light. They move independently from one another, and this gives them incredible depth perception. Some scientists believe that a jumping spider can see details on the moon with this vision. The other six eyes do not see as much detail but can detect movement almost 360° around its body. This gives it some of the best vision on the planet. It is impossible to sneak up on a jumping spider. What is it hunting for with this astounding vision? Small insects, one of its favourites being mosquitos. Another reason to appreciate spiders, they are eating what most humans classify as pests.
When it spots its prey with its amazing eyes, it crouches low stalking it like a cat. Just before it pounces it secrets a tiny silk safety line to tether it to its starting point and launches itself at its prey by extending its two back legs fully. Grabbing hold of its prey it injects it with venom before ingesting it. But don’t worry they have no interest in biting humans. In fact, they are known to be so gentle with humans, and due to their captivating eyes, they are common pets. However, I am of the belief that our wild neighbours should remain free; thus I parted ways with Euophrys monadnock after bringing him back to the great outdoors marvelling at how unbeknownst to him, his attire would make him the perfect Halloween mascot. For him, the colours just make his dance moves that much more attractive to any females he may meet.
