Strumming a love song

Spider courtship is a treacherous occupation, and the male has to approach very gently, to avoid becoming a tasty meal. During courtship, individuals transfer information about identity, mating status and quality by generating distinctive courtship vibrations (shudders) when entering a female's web. The smaller male spider was gently strumming strands of the female web, as he made tentative approaches, retreating if he felt threatened. Despite all his efforts the female wasn't in the mood for love and eventually pounced, but he made a flying leap and managed to escape with his life this time.