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Robert Drewe: A query to leave you tossing and turning in bed . . . do spiders dream?

Robert DreweThe West Australian
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Afraid of Spiders
Camera IconAfraid of Spiders Credit: jsteck/Getty Images

I must say this isn’t a question that keeps me awake at night (in fact I’ve almost forgotten it already) but it has some scientists tossing and turning in their beds: Do spiders dream?

And if so, what do they dream about? (At a rough guess, I’d say flies feature prominently. Maybe web construction problems. And humans with rolled-up newspapers and insecticide cans.)

We’ve all seen cats and dogs twitching while asleep, and various other creatures are also known to experience rapid eye movement sleep, indicating dreaming. So Professor Daniela Roessler, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Konstanz in Germany, got to wondering about spiders.

In findings published last week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences she and her colleagues trained cameras on baby jumping spiders at night to find out. The footage showed patterns that looked like sleep cycles. The spiders’ legs twitched and their eyes flickered.

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The researchers described this pattern as a “REM sleep-like state”. In humans, rapid eye movement is an active phase of sleep, when parts of the brain light up with activity, and is closely linked to dreaming.

The research showed the spiders’ overnight movements and leg curling looked a lot like REM in other species, like dogs and cats. And they happened in regular cycles, similar to sleep patterns in humans. Therefore, surmised the German scientists . . .

But other arachnid authorities weren’t so sure about dreaming spiders. “The jumping spider is very far from humans on the evolutionary tree,” Jerry Siegel, of the UCLA Centre for Sleep Research, helpfully pointed out.

“I’m doubtful that spiders experience REM sleep. There may be animals that have activity in quiet states, but are they actually REM sleep? It’s hard to imagine they’re dreaming.”

If you dream of small spiders, expect a sudden serious dispute with your lover.

Oh, the not knowing! What we know for a fact is that humans often dream about spiders. In fact, Chinese Dream Interpretation Theory is crawling with meanings for spiders in dreams.

Some examples: Dreaming of black spiders indicates you’re energetic in your work. But white spider dreams mean your stubborn personality will cause bad consequences; red spiders symbolize the decline of wealth, and dreaming of green spiders means you’ll make business mistakes, so proceed with caution.

If you dream of small spiders, expect a sudden serious dispute with your lover. Dreaming of large spiders indicates your wealth will increase rapidly if you act wisely.

Surprisingly, dreaming of tarantulas — a very large spider — symbolises a quiet day to follow. You can establish a good interaction with others (while checking your clothes and cupboards every five minutes). Dreaming of lots of spiders indicates your family’s luck will improve and you’ll feel good about new directions.

Dreaming of dead spiders is a good thing. It means that pain and difficulties are finally coming to an end, and good luck is on the way. (There is no interpretation for sudden spider-death via squashing with a rolled-up newspaper.)

Dreaming of cobwebs implies that success must be achieved through hard work. If a single man or woman dreams of spiders building webs it indicates that a relationship will progress from friends to lovers.

Dreaming of a spider bite means that others’ dishonest behaviour makes you a victim and a business enemy will bring you pain. Specifically, to dream that a spider bites you on the hand is an indication of anxiety and embarrassment to come.

It also means you could come across a major obstruction while doing something important. (However I could find no traditional Chinese meaning for a bite from the old redback on the toilet seat.)

Dreaming of killing a spider that bites you means that seriousness and perseverance are your strengths, but when dealing with interpersonal relationships you must be flexible and accommodating.

Well, that’s dream spiders. What about other dream-time creepy crawlies?

Ants in your dreams relate to work. If they were typically busy and organised, it means the change of employment you were considering is a good idea. If they were crawling over you, it signifies setbacks in your current work situation. (Or that you’re presently being tortured by a drug cartel in the Mexican desert.)

Bees are a symbol of good fortune and linked to communication. If they were buzzing around happily, this is a great sign. If they’re dead or listless, it’s an indication you shouldn’t put too much trust in so-called friends.

As you might expect, leeches are hugely symbolic in dreams If you dream about this bloodsucker it means you’re going to have a drain on your resources.

Finally, lice are an indication of irritating annoyances that aren’t major obstacles. They’re typically due to the stupidity of others. (Or to the 6-year-olds with nits at your kids’ primary school.)

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