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Timid

All articles tagged with #timid

science2 years ago•4 min saved

Shy Giant Spiders Invade Southeastern U.S.

The Joro spider, an invasive species from East Asia, has rapidly spread across the Southeastern U.S. since arriving in Georgia in 2013. Despite their imposing size, these spiders are surprisingly timid and freeze for over an hour when disturbed, making them more afraid of humans than the reverse. The Joro spider's shyness may help them thrive in urban environments, where they encounter noise, vibrations, and visual stimuli. While they may be invasive, Joro spiders are not aggressive and are relatively harmless to people and pets.

via SciTechDaily|

#arachnids #invasive-species #joro-spider

nature2 years ago•3 min saved

Shy and Harmless: The Truth About Giant Joro Spiders

Jorō spiders, an invasive species in the US, are actually some of the most timid spiders encountered, despite their impressive size. Researchers at the University of Georgia found that the spiders have a long-lasting stress response called thanatosis, whereby they freeze for over an hour when exposed to a threat. This response helps them conserve energy in urban environments where they like to colonize. The researchers also discovered that the jorōs' rapid spread is due to their incredible reproductive potential, not because they're displacing native spiders.

via IFLScience|

#invasive-species #joro-spiders #nature