Cyclosa spiders are building giant decoys of themselves for their survival. (Image: Olah et al)
Science
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Moneycontrol07-01-2026, 13:03

Tiny Spiders Build Giant Decoys for Survival, Fooling Predators

  • Tiny tropical spiders create large, spider-shaped decoys using silk, prey remains, and debris.
  • These "puppets" are significantly larger than the actual spider, designed to deter predators.
  • Spiders jiggle silk threads to make decoys appear alive, mimicking a bigger, more fearsome threat.
  • Observed in orb-weaving spiders (genus Cyclosa) in tropical forests of Peru and the Philippines.
  • This clever adaptation offers insights into predator-prey interactions, evolution, and inspires biomimicry.

Why It Matters: Tiny spiders use giant decoys for survival, showcasing clever adaptation and inspiring biomimicry.

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