Spider which uses spring trap to capture prey discovered in Australia

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/66836479

Researchers say their hunting method - which allows them to prey on dangerous ants - is unprecedented.

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", said lead researcher Prof Ajay Narendra.

"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," researcher Dr Jonas Wolff said.