Last time we looked at spiders in general. Now let’s consider those specifically called jumping spiders. There are some 4,000 varieties of these. All are small, less than 3/4 of an inch, and are the most colorful of all spiders. While frequently found in parts of North America and Europe, the greatest number prefer warm climates, such as Central America, northern South America, New Zealand and Australia. Many of you have probably seen these little spiders on your window sills or screens in the summer.
They are provided with unusual eyes - some of them having as many as eight, so they can see motion in just about every direction all at the same time. They can also spot birds or other enemies that might be a threat to them.
In contrast to the vast number of other spiders, jumping spiders do not weave webs and then wait for insects to get caught in them. Instead, they creep up on their prey or lie in wait and pounce on it. Although their legs are short, they can jump more than 40 times the length of their bodies.
Finding a good spot on a big bare rock or bare limb of a tree, a jumper first anchors a silk thread (called a dragline) so it can climb back up in case it misses its prey. It seldom has to wait very long before spotting a fly, mosquito or other insect perhaps a distance of four to eight inches away.
How can it get to that insect that is suddenly visible? Most of the jumping power is supplied by the fourth pair of legs, and the dragline stretches out to match the jump being made. Having feasted on its catch, the spider may explore a bit for more food and then follows the dragline all the way back to its starting point where the line is discarded.
Incidentally, in spite of the trailing dragline, these jumps are so fast and silent that an intended victim seldom gets away. The spider injects a wee bit of poison, then it devours its catch and looks around for other potential victims before climbing back up its dragline.
Read again the Bible verse at the top of the page. How foolish it is for anyone to just try to forget about God and take up with the temporary pleasures of this world. This verse tells us it will trap them like a spider’s web. Another verse tells us: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:66In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6). Which verse applies to you?
MAY 29, 1994
ML-05/29/1994