Zebra Spiders

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Zebra spiders normally catch their food by jumping on it, and if there was an Olympic event for spider long jump these guys would be gold medalists.  They can jump more than 20 times their own body length!

On sunny days you can see these little black and white striped arachnids running about on walls and fences in search of food.  Most people assume that all spiders are carnivorous predators, which wrestle their poor unsuspecting prey to the ground and dig their fangs in for the kill.  They do that too.  But sometimes these furry little critters would rather just chill out with a bit of Victoria sponge, like this little Zebra Spider.

Several types of spider in the UK feed on plant nectar.  Nectar is sugary (like cake), but it also contains many vitamins and minerals which the spider needs to stay healthy. Research has shown that spiders who supplement their diet with nectar live longer.  They also don't have to suffer the hazards involved with trying to overpower prey, or expend energy producing venom and digestive enzymes.

Zebra Spiders also have incredibly good eyesight and if you put your face close to them they raise up on their front legs to get a better look at you.  They'll sometimes even let you feed them from a pair of tweezers or forceps.


More info at: Zebra Spiders Fact File