Spiders and cats might not seem to have much in common at first glance. But spend enough time watching a regal jumping spider, and the comparison starts to make a surprising amount of sense. These tiny arachnids can tuck their legs in as if they were “loafing,” groom their faces, curiously tilt their heads, and display all kinds of little mannerisms that can look remarkably familiar to anyone who lives with a cat or dog.
To learn more about what is actually happening behind some of these adorable behaviors, Bored Panda reached out to two experienced jumping spider keepers and breeders. Hayden Shea, known as @spoodyhaven on Instagram, went from being afraid of spiders herself to becoming an enthusiastic keeper, while Melissa Mariner of Spooderhood Spiders and @flower_the_jumping_spider has spent plenty of time observing how jumpers behave both in their enclosures and around people as part of her work as a breeder and owner. They shared their thoughts on everything from “loafing” and tiny spider “biscuits” to safely earning a jumper’s trust.
So, whether you already think jumping spiders are ridiculously cute or still need some convincing, scroll down to meet some tiny eight-legged characters that might completely change the way you look at spiders. And if you have ever encountered a jumping spider yourself, tell us about it in the comments!
