Ant Mimicking Jumping Spiders

It's true, this may sound like something from the Multiverse of Intrigue, but they are very real!!!! In fact, many species of insects mimic ants for various reasons. Some to avoid being a tasty snack for predators, as ants generally taste pretty nasty and have a vicious bite. Others to fool the ants so that they themselves may prey on the ants and their egg sacs.

I first encountered these space like creatures on a park bench in Brisbane, Australia. At initial glance it appeared to be a large ant..... and then it jumped across the gap between the planks of wood comprising the bench. I had been fooled. This curious little creature was in fact a jumping spider. In the end it was the unusual eye structure, typical to jumping spiders, that gave it away.

Jumping spiders are generally curious, they are not often scared off, and even seem to be "playing" at times. They will face a threat head on and dance around, never breaking eye contact. Perhaps that's why this particular little fellow was so intent to jump on my bag and come near me, despite my continual efforts to place him elsewhere. Not out of fear for myself, but out of concern I may accidentally squish him. There are, apparently, a couple of these ant mimicking spiders in Canada. I intend to find them!