Can Spiders Understand Human Language?
WouterIn the past, scientists have suggested that spiders can’t understand human language. But now they’ve been shown to be capable of making sense of the lingo. Using a tiny electrode and an isolation technique, researchers found that the arachnid’s brain responds to certain sounds, including those produced by other creatures and a clap of hands.
They found that the arachnid could even differentiate between animate and inanimate objects, something that has been long disputed by some behavioral ecologist, Jonathan Pruitt.
They also rediscovered that spiders can recognize the visual movements of other living creatures. They were able to distinguish between an object moving across a tabletop and a nascent web. It may sound trivial, but this ability is important for spiders to avoid predators.
A new study by Cornell University graduate student Paul Shamble suggests that spiders can hear some noises. They’re not able to hear sounds from great distances, but they are able to pick up vibrations when they enter a room.
The new research also indicates that spiders can detect human voices from a distance. This isn’t the first time this has been demonstrated, but it’s the first time scientists have used microelectrodes to demonstrate this.
Spiders aren’t very intelligent, but they do have a complex system for identifying prey, and they do have a memory. It’s believed that the pheromones they secrete are responsible for their ability to identify family members.
While it’s true that spiders can’t understand human language, they can understand other things, such as colors and shapes. Similarly, they can use their webs to communicate with other spiders. In fact, a spider’s communication system is so complex, that scientists have tried to simulate a spider’s voice using synthetic signals.
