ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Biology

Despite their size, baby spiders can see nearly as good as adults

The study found that spider’s eyes provide high-quality information when they're small as well as when they are large.

Fermin KoopbyFermin Koop
August 1, 2019 - Updated on July 12, 2023
in Biology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Wood may not be the climate-friendly building material we used to think
In unprecedented bid, health science journals unite and call for ambitious climate action
Flying car takes off in Slovakia
Human brain perceives men as persons and women as parts, study finds

Despite their young age, baby spiders have a vision nearly as good as their parents. This enables them to be effective hunters early in their life, according to a new study.

Credit: Flickr

The study, published in the journal Vision Research, helped explain how baby spiders, animals about the size of a bread crumb, can fit all the complex architecture of adult eyes into a much tinier package.

“Spiderlings can adopt prey-specific hunting strategies. They can solve problems,” said Nathan Morehouse, a biologist with the University of Cincinnati. “We thought the adults were pressing the limits of what was physically possible with vision. And then you have babies that are a hundredth that size.”

According to the research, baby spiders have the same number of photoreceptors as adults but packed differently to fit in a smaller space. They have 8.000 photoreceptors, but they’re smaller than the ones found in adults. Each of them is located next to each other to maintain the visual acuity that helps spiders distinguish objects at a distance.

The experts at the University of Cincinnati developed their own custom-made micro-ophthalmoscope, similar to those used eye doctors, to peer into the tiny eyes of baby spiders. They used the equipment to map the light-sensitive cells and their interaction.

“It’s a powerful, one-of-a-kind research tool that allows us to engage in several exciting projects that were not possible before,” UC biologist Elke Buschbeck said.

At the same time, they conducted a microscopic analysis of the tissues inside the spider eyes. Like most creatures in the animal kingdom, jumping spiders begin life with eyes that are much larger in proportion to the rest of their bodies. They have an extraordinary vision, such as tetrachromacy, the ability to see four colors.

“People say, ‘That’s going to be a big dog’ because of the size of the puppy’s feet. A puppy grows into its feet in the same way that jumping spiders grow into their eyes,” Morehouse said.

While having a vision almost as good as adults, baby spiders’ eyes do have one drawback, the research showed: they capture less light than those of the adults. That means they can’t see as well in dim conditions. This makes baby spiders conspicuous to field researchers working in the dark understory, he said.

“One thing you pick up on is spiderlings act a little drunk. They’re a bit stumbly,” he said. “They seem a little impaired. And it’s probably because the world is a little dimmer like you’re walking through the house with the lights off bumping your shins on the furniture.”

ShareTweetShare
Fermin Koop

Fermin Koop

Fermin Koop is a reporter from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He holds an MSc from Reading University (UK) on Environment and Development and is specialized in environment and climate change news.

Related Posts

Mind & Brain

Being Left-Handed Might Not Make You More Creative After All

byTibi Puiu
7 hours ago
Astronomy

Interstellar comet: Everything We Know About 3I/ATLAS

byMihai Andrei
7 hours ago
Health

People Across Cultures Agree This Body Fat Percentage Is the Most Attractive in Men

byTibi Puiu
8 hours ago
News

Japan’s Wooden Satellite Survived Orbit for 116 Days. Now Scientists Want a Better Version

byGrace van Deelen
9 hours ago

Recent news

Being Left-Handed Might Not Make You More Creative After All

July 7, 2025

Interstellar comet: Everything We Know About 3I/ATLAS

July 7, 2025

People Across Cultures Agree This Body Fat Percentage Is the Most Attractive in Men

July 7, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.