These male spiders catapult away to avoid being cannibalized after sex
Male Philoponella prominens use hydraulic pressure to extend leg joints and launch to safety
![image of male and female orb spiders mating](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/041922_eg_spider_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
After mating, a male Philoponella prominens orb weaver spider (reddish brown) will use its front legs to catapult backward and escape becoming lunch for the female (dark brown).
S. Zhang