Page 55 - The Miracle in the Spider
P. 55

VICE-LIKE

                                                                 JAWS
                                                                 This jumping spider,
                                                                 Mopsus mormon, can
                                                                 comfortably catch prey up
                                                                 to five times its own size,
                                                                 (Left), because it has large
                                                                 and powerful jaws. When
                                                                 the spider is not using its
                                                                 large, black jaws for
                                                                 hunting, it folds them up
                                                                 inside its mouth, enabling
                                                                 it to move around with
                                                                 ease. Thanks to its
                                                                 powerful jaws, Mopsus is
                                                                 able to deal with mice,
                                                                 and even snakes.

        Thanks to its flat body, this New
        Zealand spider can easily
        camouflage itself between
        leaves. (Bottom)














                                   The
                                  Portia
                              spider has
                       two features which
            distinguish it from other jumping
        spiders. The first is its web-spinning,
              the second its ogre-face. This
                                     55
             appearance gives the spider an
          advantage over its enemies. (Right)
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