Tassie spiders make thoughtful lovers

Scientists have discovered a link between male humans and an Australian spider - they both think with their junk.

Sex and spiders are two things that can make people scream - and as it turns out amorous arachnids have it pretty good in the bedroom.

For years scientists have believed male spiders have no feeling in their palpal - or reproductive - organ, which is found inside the two appendages on their head that look like tiny legs and are used to transfer sperm.

But a study of Tasmanian cave spiders by German and American researchers has found the male of the species actually has nerves in its "penis", which could not be examined until now.

This allows the spider to, in layman's terms, think with its junk.

The researchers believe this ability could secure a male's chance of getting a female pregnant by figuring out what she likes during sex and doing it.

It is also speculated that two glands discovered in the spider's penis improve the likelihood of having sex with the same spider again.

But it's not all bedroom bliss - spiders don't experience pleasure in the same way as humans.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world