Posted by Dr. Science on 01/07/2013 in
Question |
Are spiders really our friends?
———- from Mary Rawcliffe of San Luis Obispo, CA
Most arachnids are generous to a fault, self sacrificing and compassionate, except when it comes to web entangled insects. Then the spider becomes heartless and dispassionate, much like an eight-legged version of the IRS. Legend has it that spiders guide lost children home and, when possible, knit sweaters at night for sleeping old ladies. One spider, known to posterity as “Mr. Jinx”, saved a wayward schoolbus from certain disaster by biting the driver awake as he nodded off. Mr. Jinx was stomped to death for his efforts, but the children were safe and that’s all that matters to a spider.
