Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Zombie Spiders

Catalepsy, the act of pretending or appearing to be dead, is a defensive technique commonly used in nature to thwart predators. Spiders share this particular trait with many other insects and vertebrates (such as the possum). A spider which falls from a leaf or branch or is brushed from your clothing will curl its legs around itself and lie still for several minutes. This is a survival strategy which is used to thwart a predator’s attack. It is quite convincing in its appearance of being dead, but if you are patient enough and maintain your surveillance it will miraculously and suddenly come back to life. It will then hurriedly scurry off to a place of safety.

Camouflage, mimicry and catalepsy are all forms of survival strategies and all of these forms of defense are used by a wide variety of spiders. Humans are not normally considered prey by spiders and are usually only a threat when they are molested or their young are endangered.

It is important to have an understanding of the defensive strategies and survival techniques used by many of nature’s creatures. Quite often it is our fear of the unknown which is our biggest threat to survival. This is a threat which can be easily conquered by the proper knowledge of those creatures that live around us.

Got zombie spiders?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker