Aug13
Along Came a Vegetarian Spider ...
Posted at 02:51 PM | Permalink
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Comments (16)
According to Science News magazine, researchers have discovered the first known vegetarian spider in Mexico. A jumping spider who dwells and dines in acacia trees, Bagheera kiplingi (Kip, to his friends) is a fly guy who passes on the usual bug buffet for leafy snacks snatched from neighboring ants. That's right—Kip is an itsy-bitsy pickpocket. Athletic, thanks no doubt to their healthy vegetarian diet, these covert little arachnids give patrolling ant guards the slip and then swoop down and steal their supply of protein and fat-packed nubbins sprouting from the tips of leaves.
An eight-legged vegetarian renegade taking on an army to nick some nubbins. Neat, huh? Actually, all spiders are pretty darn neat. They're also much more frightened of us than we are of them—and for good reason! Even on the rare occasions when spiders may try to bite to defend themselves, only a few can actually pierce human skin.
So what have we learned? Spiders are cool and deserve respect. Some vegetarians have eight legs. And when picnicking under an acacia tree in Mexico, never ever take your eyes off your salad. That said, here's Kip, my personal pick for the "Cutest Vegetarian Alive":
Posted by Amy Elizabeth
TAGGED:
vegetarian spider bagheera kiplingi
Comments
Great essay, Amy!
Posted by: Bill | August 13, 2008 06:34 PM
Wow, vegetarianism is really spreading around.
Posted by: Roxanne | August 13, 2008 06:43 PM
All 4 luv;)
Posted by: Sandy Gray | August 13, 2008 08:01 PM
That is so neat...I love spiders even though I was bit by recluse in my old house over 20 times! now I am so lucky to have the outside of my new house swathed in black widows. no bites as of yet. my favorite spider is the crab spider.
Posted by: vegan4animals | August 13, 2008 10:22 PM
Nickin' nubbins IS neat, Kip! You got my respect!
Posted by: lynda downie | August 14, 2008 12:56 AM
Leaf tips and nectar only make up part of it's diet. A huge part, but only part. They also eat ants and even cannibalize each other. NO animal is strictly vegetarian!
Posted by: tg | August 14, 2008 01:43 AM
Bi bi Judith, freedom fighter for animals - my comments are not posted anymore - i wish all the best to you and the other animal protectors! may GOD bless you!
Posted by: Old Spiderwoman | August 14, 2008 07:17 AM
Aw, Kip looks so cute. Shows you that we can always learn more about our amazing planet and life on it.
Posted by: Leigh | August 14, 2008 07:21 AM
Maybe you'll change the world one spider at a time.
Posted by: blbr | August 14, 2008 11:23 AM
Tg,
There are many animals that eat only plants, but they are usually referred to as herbivores. But if you want to get nitpicky, yes, they may accidentally eat a bug on a plant.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | August 14, 2008 05:10 PM
what a cool pic :)
Posted by: Kris Shulfer | August 18, 2008 07:45 PM
Mm.
Mmhmm.
Yes. Well, "cutest vegetarian alive" is not the first thing that comes to mind ...
Haha, well, anyway, this story is awesome. Rock on little man.
Posted by: Jessie | August 18, 2008 10:33 PM
"Wow, vegetarianism is really spreading around."
Roxanne
What do you mean? Animals don't really care about the animals they eat. They feel no guilt in it. Vegetarianism is not "spreading around" in the way you are implying.
Posted by: Karen | August 22, 2008 09:37 PM
Karen
I thought Roxanne was simply putting a humorous spin on the story. I found her comment very lighthearted and funny.
Posted by: lynda downie | August 25, 2008 09:47 PM
kind of after the fact but i thought i'd make two points
1) any spider big or strong enough can pierce the skin and thats the majority of spiders.
2) this spider is omniverous with a prefference for vegetation... it still eats other insects from time to time.
Posted by: o | October 31, 2008 06:55 AM
actually honey bees are strictly vegan
Posted by: oceanworior | May 26, 2009 03:54 PM