This Tiny Spider Took Down an Ant Like a Trained Assassin — And Everyone’s Obsessed
When Reddit user u/JapaneseDepression posted a one-minute video from Japan titled, “Who is this friend protecting me from ants?” they likely didn’t expect to trigger a cascade of curiosity, identification, and admiration.
But that’s exactly what happened.
In just 60 seconds, this tiny arachnid became the internet’s newest anti-ant hero.
The video shows a small but shockingly fast spider dropping from the upper edge of a wall and ambushing an unsuspecting ant.
The attack is swift and silent.
What begins as an innocent moment of wall-crawling turns into a full-on silk-wrapped takedown.
Viewers watched in awe as the spider spun tight circles around the ant, pulling silk with rhythmic booty wiggles and expertly dragging its prey into the shadows.
“I’m also loving the booty shakes as she’s wrapping up the ant.”
“It literally took out that ant so fast. Probably felt the ant crawling up the wall and it was already too late.”
“That spider is like us. How we crawl out of our blankets to grab something only to crawl back into them.”
For many in the r/spiders subreddit, this video was more than just entertainment — it was spider behavior on full display.
Some viewers were so impressed that they called it the coolest spider video they had ever seen.
The most common question quickly became: What kind of spider is this?
Thanks to a flurry of speculation and community sleuthing (plus a little help from Google Lens), the spider was identified as Uroctea compactilis, a member of the Oecobiidae family, known for its flattened body shape and ambush-hunting technique.
“Looks like Uroctea compactilis, Oecobiidae.”
“That sounds right based on the appearance and movements and hunting methods.”
“Google Lens says it’s a Uroctea Compactilis. Its Japanese name is hirata-gumo. I’m not sure what the Japanese name means, if you know please share.”
These spiders don’t spin traditional webs.
Instead, they create thin silk shelters tucked along edges, behind panels, or under surfaces.
When prey like ants happen to crawl near, they strike fast, immobilizing their target with spiraled silk and retreating just as quickly.
One redditor humorously summarized the entire sequence as:
“The ant: ‘excuse me ma’am do you happen to know where the exit is b–‘”
The spider’s hunting style left people equal parts impressed and unnerved.
The way she calmly handled a threat many of us would swat at gave her instant hero status.
And it wasn’t just her skills that won fans — her appearance drew compliments, too:
“She’s gorgeous. The marks on its abdomen look like a happy face.”
“That’s a beautiful looking spider!”
This thread also sparked some light educational moments. Users from Japan chimed in to confirm the spider’s identity and explain that hirata-gumo is the local name, though its direct translation remains a mystery to some.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With This Spider:
- Unmatched speed: From ambush to wrap-up in seconds.
- Precise technique: She silk-spun the ant like a pro.
- Unexpected behavior: Most viewers never knew spiders handled ants like this.
- Personality-packed movement: Wiggles, turns, and clean exits.
- Visual storytelling: A full arc — suspense, climax, and exit — in just one minute.
Many users admitted that watching the clip changed how they see spiders:
“I’ve always known the importance of spiders but they’ve always creeped me out. This sub has really made me appreciate them so much more.”
Whether you see her as a protector, an assassin, or a tiny warrior, there’s no denying: this spider just earned a fan club.
