Study Finds Social Spiders Are More Flexible Than We Thought

In the sprawling savannas of southern Africa, a peculiar kind of spider builds its massive communal webs among the thorny branches. These are the Stegodyphus dumicola—the so-called “hippie spiders”—named for their remarkably cooperative way of life. To scientists and nature enthusiasts alike, these social arachnids have long been a symbol of peaceful cohabitation and teamwork in the animal kingdom. Yet, new research from the University of Portsmouth has turned that image on its head, revealing that the “hippie spiders” may be even more enigmatic—and far less predictable—than anyone previously imagined.

The Myth of Spider Personality

Animal personality, by traditional definition, refers to behavioral traits that remain consistent over time and across various contexts. A “bold” animal should continue to be bold, and a “shy” one should stay shy, regardless of changes in setting. This idea has guided decades of behavioral studies across species, from primates to pigeons. For social spiders, it seemed almost natural to assume that certain individuals would consistently act as fearless defenders, while others took on more nurturing or cautious roles.

But what if these roles aren’t set in stone? What if the spiders are not naturally bold, shy, aggressive, or nurturing—but instead adapt fluidly depending on the needs of the moment?

A study recently published in Animal Behaviour challenges the very foundation of what scientists thought they knew about animal individuality, at least when it comes to these web-dwelling hippies.

Dr. Lena Grinsted, Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Portsmouth and lead author of the study, explains:
“Our study raises the question of whether these spiders truly have personalities at all. We found that their behavior fluctuates so much that it’s misleading to classify individuals as having stable personality traits.”

Four Months of Observation Unveil a Dynamic Reality

Over a period of four months, researchers carefully observed 28 colonies of Stegodyphus dumicola in their natural environment. Every two weeks, they assessed three primary behaviors in individual spiders:

• Boldness, by exposing spiders to a simulated threat and measuring how they responded,
• Fleeing responses, gauging how fast and far they retreated,
• Prey capture speed, in a group setting, to see how quickly they reacted to a food source.

What they discovered was a world in constant flux. While some spiders showed consistent behaviors across a short span—perhaps one or two observations—over time, these patterns dissolved. A spider initially labeled “bold” might later flee at the slightest disturbance. Another, timid at first, could become an eager participant in prey capture.

Moreover, an individual’s early behavior was a poor predictor of its later actions. Unlike many species where personality seems to emerge early and stabilize, these spiders appeared to reinvent themselves regularly, responding dynamically to a host of factors, both internal (like hunger) and external (such as environmental changes).

A Radical Rethinking of Social Structure

For years, behavioral ecologists speculated that within these cooperative colonies, individual spiders might specialize into fixed roles: babysitters, hunters, builders, or sentries. This specialization was thought to mirror the strict divisions of labor seen in eusocial insects like ants, bees, and termites.

But the findings from Portsmouth suggest a different, more flexible model.

“It’s tempting to assume that these cooperative spiders have defined roles within their societies, just as we see in some other social animals,” said Dr. Grinsted. “However, our findings suggest they may instead live in an even more equal society than expected, where individuals participate in tasks as needed rather than being locked into specific behavioral roles.”

In this sense, the “hippie” nickname becomes even more fitting. Rather than adhering to rigid hierarchies, Stegodyphus dumicola colonies may function more like egalitarian communities, where every member adjusts to fill gaps as situations demand, contributing fluidly to the well-being of the whole.

This realization not only paints a richer portrait of spider societies but also underscores the dangers of applying rigid labels to animal behavior based on short-term observations.

The Problem with Short-Term Studies

Behavioral studies often involve brief periods of observation—days, sometimes even hours. Historically, if an animal behaved a certain way during that window, researchers labeled it accordingly: bold, aggressive, shy, cooperative. But the new research highlights just how misleading this method can be, at least for social spiders.

Dr. Grinsted emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring:
“This study really highlights the importance of understanding how behavior changes over the course of an animal’s lifetime. Our humble ‘hippie’ spiders have demonstrated how categorizing individuals based on a few observations is not just inaccurate—it may lead to wrong conclusions about evolutionary outcomes.”

In a field where assumptions about personality traits often feed into broader theories about natural selection, fitness, and survival strategies, these revelations carry weighty implications. If personalities are not stable, how can scientists predict evolutionary paths? How can behaviors be reliably linked to survival advantages if they change so frequently?

A Broader Lesson About Nature’s Complexity

The findings from Portsmouth ripple far beyond spider studies. They serve as a potent reminder that nature often refuses to fit neatly into human-made categories. Behavior is messy, influenced by an intricate web of genetics, environment, physiological state, social context, and random chance.

Social spiders, once assumed to be miniature models of stability and predictability, turn out to be masters of adaptation, living embodiments of behavioral fluidity. Their cooperative spirit doesn’t emerge from rigid roles and personalities, but from a deep-seated flexibility—an ability to flow with life’s uncertainties rather than resist them.

In the words of Dr. Grinsted,
“Much like people, you can’t judge a spider on first impressions—and they’re not a fan of labels either.”

In a world that often rushes to classify and categorize, perhaps the “hippie spiders” have a deeper lesson for us all: embrace change, stay adaptable, and above all, don’t be too quick to define yourself—or others.

Reference: Lena Grinsted et al, The spiders that lost their personalities: assessing long-term behavioural individuality in social Stegodyphus dumicola, Animal Behaviour (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2025.123167