Most spiders get a bad rap. Almost all are beneficial, devouring garden pests and presenting no harm to humans whatsoever. Sure, some have a sinister look to them, but they mostly live their lives hiding out, waiting for their next meal. In Michigan there are really only two potentially dangerous species, and they are very rarely encountered: the Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spider.
I like spiders and go out looking for them, but I’ve never come across either one of these. There are many eight-legged stains on the floor that met their fate because of people’s irrational fears. I’ve had people tell me they were bitten by spiders. I typically ask if they actually saw the spider bite them, and the answer is always “No.” I have no doubt that they were bitten by something, but few spiders have the ability to break human skin, and those that do usually only do so when handled roughly.
Personally, I think jumping spiders as a group are cute little guys with goggle eyes and beautiful patterns. In my opinion they share many attributes with cats—and they actually have an advantage or two over them. Before you tell me I’m completely crazy, which I’m not denying at this point, let me present some similarities between cats and jumping spiders:
Both are fuzzy, appearing in a wide selection of stripes, bold patterns and solid colors. A seemingly endless variety are available in both models.
They both have big, beautiful eyes. As a bonus jumping spiders have eight to enjoy!
They both look you right in the eyes and are incredibly observant and curious. Of course this is something you will only see with the jumping spiders upon magnification, but I think my photos demonstrate that they do look right at you—and that they are cute.
Both are visual hunters, relying on stealth to sneak up and pounce on their prey. When a cat does this, it’s considered cute, but when a spider does it, it’s sinister. No fair!
Now for some important differences:
While both are deft hunters, their targets are vastly different. Spiders mostly take out garden pests. On the other hand, cats that are allowed outdoors are incredibly efficient predators. In its 2014 State of the Birds Report, the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative reported that cats, the most abundant pet in the United States, kill as many as 2.4 billion birds in the U.S. and 196 million in Canada, per year! The American Bird Conservancy offers in-depth information about cats as bird predators on their website. Cats are fantastic pets but should be kept indoors.
And a few less serious differences between cats and jumping spiders:
You never hear about jumping spider allergies!
Ok, it is hard to pet a spider, but then again, jumping spiders don’t leave hairballs around the house.
And finally, no kitty litter cleanup!
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