He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother by myautofocuslife

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

The last time I shot an ant-mimic crab spider: http://365project.org/myautofocuslife/365/2012-09-01

You can see that there are two of them in this shot. The smaller one riding on top has something in its jaws.

It's highly unusual. Spiders are solitary creatures. They are cannibalistic, and will eat each other. So what is happening here? I can only guess that this is part of a mating ritual. Perhaps the smaller male spider on top has brought a little snack to distract the larger female one with, while he attempts to mate.

I couldn't observe them at length to see what happened next because the bigger spider carried on walking very quickly, going up higher and higher on this plant, which was also crawling with red weaver ants. When I was taking shots, I had to make sure I didn't get too close and wasn't actually touching any part of the plant, I did not want to be attacked by the ants. 8P

Fantastic details, looks brilliant viewed larged!
October 22nd, 2012  
Awesome viewed large!
October 22nd, 2012  
Wow....fantastic capture and so interesting!
October 22nd, 2012  
Cool shot.
October 22nd, 2012  
Great capture as usual!
October 22nd, 2012  
What an unusual find. Such great detail.
October 22nd, 2012  
Fabulous shot Livia.
October 22nd, 2012  
Jo
I think this is one of my favourite spiders that you've captured so far. So interesting.
October 22nd, 2012  
You make all this quite interesting. Amazing how much detail you capture.
October 22nd, 2012  
Beautiful
October 22nd, 2012  
Maybe it's bringing takeout home for dinner.
October 22nd, 2012  
Interesting, but cute in a creepy sort of way!
October 22nd, 2012  
Fabulous shot of the spider, and a lovely background colour!
October 22nd, 2012  
Interesting thought about the snack to distract!
October 22nd, 2012  
awesome capture!
October 22nd, 2012  
What details!
October 22nd, 2012  
amazing the things you find!
October 22nd, 2012  
Thank you for you visit, nice comment and the fav. It`s made my day.
If it comes to fav some of you pic`s I`m nor able to choose, all can be
fav,-ed I do this and it only will be a serve as an example for all you pic`s
October 22nd, 2012  
Putting yourself at risk for the sake of 365 - well above the call of duty! Take a week off and start on flowers - much safer.
Lovely shot, Livia, and interesting narrative.
October 22nd, 2012  
Interesting macro. Who knows what really is going on, though your explanation makes a lot of sense.
October 22nd, 2012  
Way to many legs in that shot. ;)
October 22nd, 2012  
LOVE your title. You are so creative!:) Super shot, too!
October 22nd, 2012  
Fantastic shot, I wonder what they are up to?
October 22nd, 2012  
Interesting shot.
October 22nd, 2012  
Wow, you always provide so much information--fabulous.
October 22nd, 2012  
Great capture and enjoyed your information
October 22nd, 2012  
brilliant light and detail and words
October 22nd, 2012  
Great title! And the focus and clarity of this shot are amazing!
October 22nd, 2012  
I wouldn't want to be attacked by the ants either...
October 22nd, 2012  
Brilliant close up, so clear and detailed!
October 22nd, 2012  
You are a great nature photographer and so good at sharing your knowledge. This is really fascinating.
October 22nd, 2012  
Cool close up.
October 22nd, 2012  
Another great shot!!
October 22nd, 2012  
Great shot Livia.
October 22nd, 2012  
wow fantastic shot Livia.
October 22nd, 2012  
Incredible xx
October 22nd, 2012  
Terrific capture.
October 22nd, 2012  
This is cool. Nice contrast against the background
October 22nd, 2012  
Wow. Amazing shot and interesting facts too!
October 23rd, 2012  
What a bizarre type of spider. It really does look like an ant.
October 23rd, 2012  
you are the spider queen Livia! you get the best spider photos!
October 23rd, 2012  
That is awesome! Love it large...they are so unique looking! Maybe the little guy has brought her some jewellery! It looks shiny!
October 23rd, 2012  
amazing!!
October 23rd, 2012  
Awesome
October 23rd, 2012  
Great capture Livia. I was bit by ants more than once this year. They sting!
October 23rd, 2012  
Fantastic find and a very cool shot!
October 23rd, 2012  
Oh the drama! and all those unanswered questions. Such a Soap opera!
October 23rd, 2012  
An Amazing shot. Great detail viewed large.
October 23rd, 2012  
Fantastic close up, wonderful clarity!!
October 23rd, 2012  
Fabulous image Livia...i think a book about the lives and times of bugs is in order!!
October 23rd, 2012  
such a fun macro!
October 23rd, 2012  
wow Livia! This is just awesome! Maybe they are Mother and child? Either way the capture is fantastic! :)
October 23rd, 2012  
Amazing capture, as usual :)
October 23rd, 2012  
Fabulous detail Livia and I learnt something new tonight!!!!
October 23rd, 2012  
Ahh a woman carrying her man as usual =) haha, fabulous shot Livia and very informative....i would have guessed they were ants!
October 23rd, 2012  
Lin
Fascinating!
October 23rd, 2012  
Amazing detail and as always I'm impressed with how you spot these little guys (and gals). It does look like they're mating. I didn't realize they ate each other though!
October 23rd, 2012  
Great shot and interesting info!
October 23rd, 2012  
Brilliant capture
October 23rd, 2012  
Another great macro capture, Livia.
October 23rd, 2012  
Fabulous capture and title - FAV. I love your jumping spider series!
October 23rd, 2012  
And the Praying Mantis gets all the sexual bad press! Great shot Livia
October 23rd, 2012  
Fabulous detail
October 23rd, 2012  
OMG LOL. You really know how to get these unique shots AND title them perfectly. well done.
October 23rd, 2012  
Awesome macro shot and really interesting read, very clever little male LOL :)) Love the details and the colours are so vivid!
October 23rd, 2012  
amazing shot
October 23rd, 2012  
What a great capture. I actually thought it was an ant on first glance and ten looked closer and also at the previous shot - thanks for the link - love the detail in this one.
October 23rd, 2012  
krazy amazing find and shot!! details are awesome!
October 23rd, 2012  
Great eye to catch this!
October 23rd, 2012  
They are fascinating creatures. Great catch!
October 24th, 2012  
Fabulous macro!!!
October 24th, 2012  
A great, big, oddly surprising "THANK YOU!" to everyone! They do look like ants, don't they? These tiny spiders always seem very busy, they are always running around, flailing their legs, no time to stop and pose at all. Thank you for visiting and commenting. Please know that I am grateful for your support.
October 24th, 2012  
Such a strange and fascinating world we live in. Great capture. If that's what was going on, that's one crafty male.
October 24th, 2012  
Fabulous shot. the focus is perfect.
October 24th, 2012  
Well at least he doesn't seem to mind to be carrying the other ant! :) Great catch!!
October 26th, 2012  
Very cool!
October 27th, 2012  
Fantastic shot. What razor sharp eyes you've got : ) xxx
October 28th, 2012  
Amazing action shot!
October 29th, 2012  
Fantastic details
April 20th, 2013  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.