🕷️ The Spider That Gave Up Hunting for Salad Leaves!
In a stunning twist of nature, scientists have discovered the world’s first known vegetarian spider—Bagheera kiplingi. Unlike nearly every other spider on Earth, this tiny jumping arachnid thrives not on insects, but on the tender tips of acacia leaves.
Native to Central America, B. kiplingi has adapted remarkable survival strategies. The acacia plants it feeds on are usually fiercely guarded by aggressive ants that live on them in exchange for nectar and shelter. To outwit these defenders, the spider uses stealth, quick evasive maneuvers, and even silk lifelines to snatch its leafy meals without getting caught.
What’s even more surprising is just how plant-focused its diet is. Studies show that in Mexico, nearly 90% of its nutrition comes from acacia leaves, while Costa Rican populations rely on plants for around 60% of their food. Though they may sometimes sip nectar or eat ant larvae, their primary diet flips long-held assumptions about spider biology on their head.
As one researcher noted, finding a vegetarian spider is as shocking as “discovering a flying pig.” This tiny eight-legged herbivore is a powerful reminder of how evolution can break the rules we thought were unshakable.
📖 Source: J. Bryner, LiveScience — “Rare Vegetarian Spider Discovered”
