Keep Your Eyes Open: The Help You Need May Come From an Unexpected Source
Learning a lesson from spiders and frogs.
Hi there!
What do gigantic spiders and tiny frogs have in common?
You’re probably thinking one serves as dinner for the other, but it’s not always the case. In fact, some tarantulas and other large spiders develop close relationships with narrow-mouthed frogs known as microhylids. While the frogs are the perfect size for the big spiders to eat, the spiders protect the frogs and encourage them to live nearby.
Both the spider and the frog benefit from the relationship.
The partnership protects the frog from larger predators that are wary of coming too close to the scary arachnids. The spider benefits because the frog eats ants, and ants are the biggest threat to spider eggs.
By working together, they both get what they need.
“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.”
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Scott Ninneman publishes two newsletters. The Sunday All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off Substack) features the newest content about bipolar life. The Speaking Bipolar Positivity Club Newsletter shares inspirational stories three times a week for a positive mindset.
The Lesson
When I learned of this frog and spider relationship, I was blown away, but I shouldn’t have been.
There are lots of symbiotic relationships in nature where a small animal works closely with a larger one. Think of the sucker fish and sharks. The remora helps keep the shark healthy, and the shark protects it from other fish that may want to eat it.
Now, you’re probably thinking, “Scott, this is interesting, but what the heck do frogs and spiders have to do with mental health?”
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