Spider which uses spring trap to capture prey discovered in Australia
Researchers say their hunting method - which allows them to prey on dangerous ants - is unprecedented.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"The snare's 'exceptionally high power' flings the ant into a bigger web at '15 times the most extreme g-forces experienced by jet pilots.'"
— Prof Ajay Narendra , Academic
"The snare mechanism seems to have evolved as a highly specialised way of allowing the spider to 'pick off' potentially hazardous prey one at a time and transport them a safe distance away from ant trails and nests."
— Dr Jonas Wolff , Academic
"This seems to be the only case where a spider's web is designed to catch a single prey species, and where the mechanism is triggered by the prey rather than by the predator."
— Prof Ajay Narendra , Academic
Key People
Researcher involved in the discovery of the spider and its hunting technique.
Biomedical researcher and photographer who initially observed the spider.
Lead researcher studying the unique hunting method of the newly discovered spider.
Locations
All Coverage
Researchers say their hunting method - which allows them to prey on dangerous ants - is unprecedented.
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