9 nifty things to know about spiders
Here are nine little-known reasons why you should be fascinated rather than frightened of spiders.
Having recently completed her PhD on ecological impact on spiders, Lizzy Lowe shares some of her favourite facts about these little wonders.
They make great fishing buddies
Spiders from the genus Dolomedes are able to catch and eat small fish.
Photo: M. Nyffeler, BJ Pusey
They love being snug
They really love making and sleeping in cute little silk tents.
Some of them really just want to be Christmas decorations
The Arkys genus of spiders contains a range of very colourful and oddly shaped spiders that would look at home on any Christmas tree.
They love being close to their kids (literally)
Some mother spiders carry their babies around on their backs with them. Warning: closer inspection of this photo may result in a case of the heebie-jeebies.
Photo: Ralph Arvesen
They love changing their outfits to match flowers
Crab spiders live in flowers and will often camouflage themselves in order to prey upon unsuspecting bees and other pollinators.
Photo credit: Lucarelli
Some go to great lengths to impress
These guys dance, drum and dress fabulously to impress the lady spiders. Peacock spiders are found all over Australia, they may only be small but each species has its own amazing display of colours and drumming pattern that the males use to attract mates.
Photo: Jurgen Otto
Their idea of fancy dress can use a little work
The Arkys curtulus avoids detection from prey and predators alike with its unique camouflage resembling bird-droppings.
Photo: Peter Woodard
Lizzy Lowe recently completed her PhD in the Integrative Ecology Lab within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences.
Follow her on Twitter and her website to learn more about her research.