Some time ago, I collected a handful* of slater-killer spiders (Dysdera crocata) from the garden. After taking photos, I released all but one.That doughty individual has built a retreat (a barrel of silk covered in soil) in its container. I chuck it a small to mid-sized slater every few days. Until now, the spider has been quite shy about eating in public but last night it hurled itself on the luckless crustacean.
Because I'd only just collected the slater, it was still curled up. That didn't perturb the spider, which dug its chelicerae into a minute gap in the armour. After a while, it dragged the slater into the corner and stood watch. I left it to its meal.
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* Not literally. Have you seen the fangs on those things?
