Most Formidable Spider Species [POLL]

[furball677]

Out of these, which species (as a whole) do you consider the most formidable. I'm talking about speed, agility, strength, venom, eyesight, etc.. Please don't count size.

 

[The Snark]

Not quite sure what you mean by formidable. If you mean most capable hunter the Lynx blows those others doors off.

 

[furball677]

Not quite sure what you mean by formidable. If you mean most capable hunter the Lynx blows those others doors off.

Yes that's pretty much what I mean. Really, can you explain how? I'll add that to the list.

 

[The Snark]

The spiders that are specialists and maintain a -limited- hunting ground, one that they are near perfectly adapted to, are more effective within that zone than predators that work a wide ranging area of environments. The more the hunting environment varies, the more the animal must make compromises which reduce it's hunting effectiveness somewhat.

For example, I'm pretty good at electronics repair and can fix a wide variety of gadgets but I'm a rank amateur compared to an Audio Research tech in his well equipped shop working only on Audio Research equipment.

So your specialist hunting spiders select their near perfect environment, their senses limit what gets their attention - setae and eyesight, their tools, claw footed adapted to the correct near perfect terrain, and their physical prowess at it's peak within that terrain. They stack the deck in their favor.

Then combine the above with very discerning habits, rejecting and ignoring unsuitable prey. This boils down to the Lynx and certain crab spiders sitting on their chosen leaves or flower petals as the near perfect apex predator. Then going by what I have observed and read, the speed and maneuverability of the Lynx is roughly on par with the average bug hunting bat. Like the bat the Lynx also has an encephalitic sack to cushion the brain from extreme G forces during acceleration and maneuvering.
IE, A Lynx with suitable prey in it's hunting ground has an extremely high chance of a kill. They do screw up now and then. It is not that uncommon to see a fly zooming off with the Lynx on it's back but it's a safe bet that fly is toast.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Everyone. All spiders are formidable. They are stupid humans best friends, but don't tell that too much loud, because ignorants wouldn't understand, and they are always ready to start a middle ages witch hunt with torches (and media)... but more, humans, sadly, doesn't even know that. Doesn't know what they can offer us.

Imagine a world without spiders... a "blaze" of bugs flying 24/7 X 365 days, over our heads, and animals, and environments. But who cares, uh? Those are "poisonous" buggers.

Imagine now a fair enough (yes... lol) world where spider venom is studied. Imagine that, and what mankind, honest societies, and modern technology could achieve, for cure our pathetic, rich, crap life style disease, instead of wasting tons of money for garbage, useless garbage, or for "drone" for D(i)emocracy.

Imagine that... and hail to Arachne, immortal ancient God ;-)

 

[furball677]

The spiders that are specialists and maintain a -limited- hunting ground, one that they are near perfectly adapted to, are more effective within that zone than predators that work a wide ranging area of environments. The more the hunting environment varies, the more the animal must make compromises which reduce it's hunting effectiveness somewhat.

For example, I'm pretty good at electronics repair and can fix a wide variety of gadgets but I'm a rank amateur compared to an Audio Research tech in his well equipped shop working only on Audio Research equipment.

So your specialist hunting spiders select their near perfect environment, their senses limit what gets their attention - setae and eyesight, their tools, claw footed adapted to the correct near perfect terrain, and their physical prowess at it's peak within that terrain. They stack the deck in their favor.

Then combine the above with very discerning habits, rejecting and ignoring unsuitable prey. This boils down to the Lynx and certain crab spiders sitting on their chosen leaves or flower petals as the near perfect apex predator. Then going by what I have observed and read, the speed and maneuverability of the Lynx is roughly on par with the average bug hunting bat. Like the bat the Lynx also has an encephalitic sack to cushion the brain from extreme G forces during acceleration and maneuvering.
IE, A Lynx with suitable prey in it's hunting ground has an extremely high chance of a kill. They do screw up now and then. It is not that uncommon to see a fly zooming off with the Lynx on it's back but it's a safe bet that fly is toast.

Yes, I totally agree with that. And thanks for giving me the interesting info, and your opinion.

 

[Nephila Edulis]

Completley depends on what environment the spider is in. In its selected habitat a crab spider on its chosen flower, an orb weaver on its web or a funnel web in its burrow each could be the most formidable

 

[basin79]

That's easy. Portia jumping spiders. They're absolutely remarkable.