Jumping spiders: Tiny brains, complex minds

What if a creature with a brain the size of a poppy seed could plan, problem-solve, and perhaps even experience the world around it?

Jumping spiders are tiny, but their behaviour is surprisingly complex. They leave their nests to search for food and mates, using vision to detect and classify objects from a distance. Research suggests they may also show signs of planning ahead when making decisions.

In this talk, we’ll explore what jumping spiders can teach us about cognition, problem-solving, and the possible functions of consciousness in animals with remarkably small brains.

Bio

Professor Ximena Nelson really likes animals. A Professor of Behavioural Ecology and Associate Head of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury, Ximena is internationally recognised for her research into animal cognition, behaviour and sensory ecology. Her work focuses on how animals perceive the world, solve problems and make decisions, with a particular fascination for kea and jumping spiders. Her research has applications for conservation, pest management and biosecurity, helping us better understand the evolution of intelligence across the animal kingdom.

Event

Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 8:00pm – 9:00pm @Bealey Quarter

The other talk at this location is Decoding the winning mindset at 6:30pm – 7:30pm