23 July 2008

Mating ritual of the jumping spider


Obviously filmed in a laboratory setting, apparently with a preserved specimen of a female (on a stick) to prompt the display. The sounds are the most interesting part of the routine; I don't know how a spider makes sounds - presumably snaps various body parts against one another (like a grasshopper) since there's no vocalization.

My suggestion: if there's someone in the room with you while you're logged on, play this video with the screen covered or dimmed to darkness and challenge them to identify the sound. It's unlikely they will even guess it's an animal - much less a ...spider!

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