Do Spiders Wear Water Droplets As Hats?
WouterA recent study suggests that spiders are actually a lot smarter than we give them credit for. A team of researchers led by postdoctoral researcher Gil Menda, of UC Berkeley, have used a microelectrode to record electrical brain activity in three different species. They found that a feisty arachnid’s brain is about the size of a poppy seed, and is remarkably similar to the human brain. The best part is, this brain is actually capable of processing more data than most human counterparts. In short, if you’re planning on running a brain teaser simulation on a simulated arachnid, you’ll have to be prepared to wait a while.
Spiders have four eyes, and these are not just big. They also have a mind-boggling array of sensory receptors. Aside from their main pair of eyes, they have a series of secondary pairs that function primarily as camouflage. Those little suckers may have the best night vision of any animal. But, if they’re not scouting out potential prey, they’re more likely to display a naivete that would leave them open to a host of unpleasant surprises. So, while spiders might be smarter than you are, they’re also pretty darn cute. It’s a good thing they’re smart enough to know that you’re not going to come rushing out to greet them.
In a previous article, I mentioned that spiders aren’t known for being super friendly, but they’re actually very efficient hunters. They’re able to catch their prey using a number of methods, including snatching it from the air and jumping several times their own length. This ability to outsmart even the most hardy of predators may have something to do with their high rate of survival.
