Insects and Spiders

Holding On To The Female's Jaws

When the male sees the open "inviting" jaws of the female, he runs towards those fangs and grabs them, locking down her jaws with his own longer ones. He maintains his grip throughout the mating process so that she will not bite him. It also holds her in position for the delivery of sperm.
Male & Female Long-jawed Orb Weaver (Tetragnatha sp.)

TetragnathaLongjawed Orb Weaverstretch spiderswhite rock lakedallas texasspiderorb weaverlongjawedarachnidgrass bladeorange spiderclose upreinhart branchmale spidermale longjawed orbweaverfemale spiderfemale longjawed orbweavercourtship behaviorsmatingmating behaviors