In the dictionary, it says a family is a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not. Of course, as you look down the list, there are variations on the meaning from plants to animals to crime syndicates groups. So hopefully on this holiday weekend you are gathered with family and friends. If not physically or least in spirit. On this note, Kathy sent me a couple of photos of a family to share with y’all!
A green lynx spider at her nest!
With a closer view, you can see the zillions of spiderlings! So Kathy’s photos got me thinking. Do spiders feed their babies and how?
With the above question in mind, I did a search. Here a wolf spider drags her egg sac.
After dragging the egg sac behind her, the wolf spider carries her babies after they hatch. She feeds them small prey. Some spiderlings fend for themselves immediately like the Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). Still other spiders will feed on the mother, eating her. What I found next, surprised me even more. Some mama spiders feed them a nourishing fluid or “milk”! Milk, you say! Yes, there is a jumping spider, Toxeus magnus that nurses its babies! So humans and mammals are not the only ones who have families! Here is the article for further reading, These Cute Jumping Spiders Actually Nurse Their Babies on Spider Milk. So now who do you think has a family…every living thing I think! And thanks Kathy!
Keep looking!
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
4 Comments
Wow, amazing about the spider milk! Thanks for sharing your photos, Kathy.
Wow, amazing about the spider milk! Thanks for sharing your photos, Kathy.
Yes thank you both for sharing. What a great pic and article. Never dreamed spiders nursed babies.
Family is what and who you make it! 💙
Exactly!❤️