Eight-Legged Cats and How They See

Carrhotus Spider

The common name for salticids is jumping spiders and many are indeed phenomenal leapers. However, jumping alone is not what distinguishes salticids from other spiders. What makes salticids special is their unique, complex eyes and acute eyesight, not leaping prowess. Salticids have large anterior medial eyes that give them an almost catlike appearance. No other … Read more

Carrhotus Spider

Carrhotus Spider

I captured this Carrhotus Spider on a leaf at Mala near Karkala. It had rained a little while before the shoot. Water drops were still all around its silken cell. I was using Canon EOS 5D Mark IV fitted with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM with Godox Ving V860C II E-TTL Li-ion Camera … Read more

Carrhotus Spider

Carrhotus Spider

I captured this Juvenile Carrhotus Spider on a vine using Canon EOS 80D fitted with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM and Canon MT-24EX macro twin light flash. Carrhotus species tend to be found in silken cells in low vegetation in the open. They are not very colourful and are sturdy, solid-looking spiders. Carrhotus … Read more

Juvenile Carrhotus Spider

Juvenile Carrhotus Spider

I captured this Juvenile Carrhotus Spider on a vine using Canon EOS 80D fitted with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM and Canon MT-24EX macro twin light flash. Carrhotus species tend to be found in silken cells in low vegetation in the open. They are not very colourful and are sturdy, solid-looking spiders. Carrhotus … Read more

Telamonia Spider & Email Hoax

Telamonia Spider

Long before social media like Facebook & Twitter dominated spreading fake news and hoaxes, emails were the staple way to spread similar nonsense around the world and create panic among gullible. There was such an email hoax which warns of the Two-Striped Telamonia Spider, purportedly a poisonous species from India that hide under toilet seats … Read more

Araneophagic behavior in Plexippus petersi

Araneophagic behavior in Plexippus petersi

Jumping spiders are a fascinating group, making up the largest family of spiders in the world. They are as diverse as birds with a range of complex behaviours which have allowed them to successfully adapt to a wide variety of habitats, globally. Their remarkably well developed eyes give them better vision than that of any … Read more