Bagheera kiplingi Bagheera kiplingi Bagheera kiplingi is a species of jumping spider found in Central America, including Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. It is the type species of the genus "Bagheera", which includes three other species, including "B. prosper". "B. kiplingi" is notable for its peculiar diet, which is mostly herbivorous. No other known species of spider has such a thoroughly herbivorous diet. The genus name is derived from Bagheera, the black panther from Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book", with the species name honoring Kipling himself. Other salticid genera with names of Kipling's characters are "Akela", "Messua", and "Nagaina". All four were
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story hand over Mowgli. Raksha and Akela refuse, saying that Mowgli is their son. Bagheera and Baloo arrive and swear to protect Mowgli from Shere Khan. Shere Khan then assures Mowgli that one day, he will get his revenge, when the pack, Bagheera, or Baloo won't be able to protect him. Bagheera and Baloo attempt to teach Mowgli how to hunt, only resulting in failed attempts from Mowgli. Bagheera then makes Mowgli look into her eyes, a trick Shere Khan uses on his victims, believing it will prepare Mowgli, should he ever encounter Shere Khan alone. Mowgli learns the lesson and