Item Icon
\"Reading Printer Friendly Page Tell A Friend
★★★★★ (4)
Rated: E · Book · Educational · #2105953

One hundred facts that are interesting but ultimately useless.

◀ Previous · Entry List · Next ▶
#900860 added January 5, 2017 at 3:50am
Restrictions: None
The Vegetarian Spider
The Vegetarian Spider
- biology -

​​​​One species of Central American jumping spider, Bagheera kiplingi, has a diet that's ninety-percent vegetarian. It mainly lives off Beltian bodies -- lipid- and protein-rich growths found on the leaves of some types of acacia trees.

This herbivorous lifestyle is not without risks. Most acacia trees have evolved symbiotic relationships with ants, who protect the trees in return for defensible shelter and the edible Beltian bodies. To harvest its meal, B. kiplingi must dodge the ant guards, steal what food it can carry, and dash off to a secluded area to eat in peace.


#002
*Thought*  Comment

© Copyright 2017 BD Mitchell (UN: anigh at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
BD Mitchell has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
◀ Previous · Entry List · Next ▶