Rainforest Revelations

Archive for July 26th, 2012

This marvellous Twig-mimicking Orb-weaver (Poltys noblei) convinces the world, but especially birds, that it is a twig.   In the image (above) the spider’s eye-stalk protrudes downwards between its medial four legs at the bottom, whilst the four hind legs bunch up in bi-lateral compartments that parallel the proximal end of the superior face of its abdomen.  Silk blends the spider’s colour along the end of the ‘real’ twig, to help the spider camouflage itself, and in an extended continuation of the branch, remains motionless all day to protect itself from the keen eyes of hungry birds.

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