Some wildlife videos are cute. Others are majestic. And then there are the ones that make you lean closer to the screen while also wanting to look away.
A close-up video of an ogre-faced spider wrapping up prey falls firmly into that last category, giving viewers an eerie and unusually detailed look at one of the strangest ways any spider hunts.
Here's what to know
Also known as net-casting spiders, ogre-faced spiders belong to the genus Deinopis and stand out for both their huge eyes and their unconventional hunting method. Instead of sitting in a standard web and waiting, they make a small silk net and use it to catch prey themselves.
In the r/spiders Reddit community, the animal's keeper shared footage of a Deinopis spider taking her first meal since coming into the original poster's care.
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More background
These spiders do not match the typical picture of an arachnid staying put in a web. They hunt more actively, and their enlarged eyes help them function in dim light, contributing to their almost alien look.
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Spiders play an important role as predators. By feeding on insects and other small creatures, they help maintain balance in local ecosystems.
What can be done?
One of the simplest responses to a spider outdoors is to leave it alone. Most spiders are not interested in people, and many are beneficial to have around because they help control insect populations.
If a spider shows up indoors in an inconvenient spot, relocating it with a cup and a piece of paper is usually a better option than killing it. That protects the animal and avoids unnecessary pesticide use inside the home.
Cutting back on broad-spectrum pesticide use can help preserve the food webs that support creatures such as spiders. Healthy yards, gardens, and green spaces tend to include predators as well as pollinators, and both matter.
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