Moving this video to Lawdeedaw's personal queue. It failed to receive enough votes to get sifted up to the front page within 2 days.

*beg

Sending this video to Beggar's Canyon to plea for a little attention - beg requested by original submitter Lawdeedaw.

And it's barking!

Is it possible that the movement is a consequence of it breathing rather than the heart beat?

Spider respiration isn't like ours, it's based on diffusion rather than forcing the air through like we do.... or, in other words, no.

I felt quite sorry for the poor little fellow.
>> ^dapper:

Is it possible that the movement is a consequence of it breathing rather than the heart beat?

Thanks for the clarification. i love that people on here know about this stuff....
>> ^oritteropo:

Spider respiration isn't like ours, it's based on diffusion rather than forcing the air through like we do.... or, in other words, no.
I felt quite sorry for the poor little fellow.
>> ^dapper:
Is it possible that the movement is a consequence of it breathing rather than the heart beat?

>> ^dapper:

Thanks for the clarification. i love that people on here know about this stuff....
>> ^oritteropo:
Spider respiration isn't like ours, it's based on diffusion rather than forcing the air through like we do.... or, in other words, no.
I felt quite sorry for the poor little fellow.
>> ^dapper:
Is it possible that the movement is a consequence of it breathing rather than the heart beat?




I know some insects (and spiders) pulse their abdomen to force air through their spiracles (little breathing holes on their underside), similarly to the way we use our diaphragm and intercostal muscles to draw air in and force it out again. Reading about it, it seems spiders tend to mix and match their breathing systems, depending on the species - but only "more advanced species" use spiracles"

Spiders hearts are located on the back of the abdomen. See this picture of a tarantula for example: http://i.imgur.com/7kexx.jpg (elongated yellow thing). So it could be it's heartbeat.

TL;DR - It could be breathing or a heartbeat. But due to spider anatomy, heartbeat would appear more likely.

Needs a drop of JB WELD