Jumping Spiders: All You Need To Know

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Jumping spiders get their common name from their ability to jump. All you need to know about jumping spiders is described in this article. These spiders are also known as salticids and belong to the family salticidae due to their preference for salty environments.

There are about 3,500 species of jumping spiders in the world. These jumping arachnids are found worldwide and can be identified by their characteristic eyes mounted on top of their heads.

There are around 300 different species of jumping spiders found in North America. The Jumping Spider comes in various shapes and colors, and they’re known for its quick reflexes in response to its predator and hunting skills.

What do jumping spiders look like?

Jumping spiders are a common type of spider, often mistaken for black widow spiders. They are generally compact, with black coloring and relatively short legs. They can be found worldwide and vary in size from 2-20 millimeters.

Jumping spiders

Jumping spiders are easily identified by their jumping feature. They can also be a mixture of brown, tan, or gray with pale white, gray, yellow, red, blue, or green markings.

How good is jumping spider vision?

Jumping spiders have some of the best visions in the animal kingdom. They can see in color and even distinguish between different types of prey. This is a great advantage and helps them be incredibly successful predators.

A pair of central eyes located at the base of their heads, known as the principal eyes, is almost like a pair of tiny binoculars. This allows them to see in great detail and easily track their prey.

Interestingly, jumping spiders have two pairs of lenses in their eyes, an outer lens, and a smaller inner lens. The outer lens enlarges the image from the smaller inner lens and projects it onto the retina.

This allows them to see with incredible detail, as they can detect movement through motion detectors that are present on their skin and abdomen. They can detect the prey from up to 20 times farther away than what other spiders can see.

Their eyesight is really good; they can see in all directions simultaneously without having to move their heads.

Additionally, they have a layer of muscle attached directly to their retinas, which means they can move their eyes in all directions, focusing on different world segments without any hint of movement on the outside.

Where are jumping spiders found?

Jumping spiders are found in various habitats, including forests, deserts, and urban areas, including tropical forests, temperate forests, grasslands, scrublands, and even deserts. These spiders are well adapted to their environment and can be successful predators.

Jumping spiders are found outdoors in their natural habitats. This includes forests, fields, gardens, and even near homes. They like to live in areas with plenty of plants and trees, where they can hunt insects and build webs.

If they find themselves indoors, they will often be near a window or door. Outdoors, they can be found on nearly every continent, with the exception of Antarctica.

Do jumping spiders look at you?

Jumping spiders are generally 3 inches (160 mm) long. They have eight eyes; the two frontmost ones are particularly large and help the spider focus on prey. They can focus and look at you when you are kind enough to them.

Jumping spiders have many predators, and they must catch their prey quickly. They jump to snatch their victim, but they can also leap away from danger.

Jumping spiders are fascinating creatures that can be quite clever. For example, they can jump many times their body length and use their web to change their location.

What do jumping spiders eat?

Jumping spiders are carnivorous and eat a variety of prey. They typically feast on flies for protein. They have a very good sense of sight that helps them stalk their prey, and they’re also quite agile, allowing them to jump onto their unsuspecting meal.

Jumping spiders are fearsome predators that can take down prey much larger than themselves. They earn the nickname “fly tigers” for their ability to catch and eat large flies.

A jumping spider feeding on an insect

Are jumping spiders venomous? Do they bite?

Jumping spiders are not typically considered venomous. They have a mild venom used to stun or kill their prey. However, they rarely bite humans and will only do so if they are being hurt or crushed. Their bites are also not considered dangerous to humans.

A jumping spider bite won’t result in any symptoms in most cases. However, you may experience a temporary, mosquito-bite-like welt at the site of the bite.

Signs of an Infestation

If you see jumping spiders around your home or property, you have to look out to determine if you have an infestation. The most obvious sign is seeing the spiders themselves. However, you may also notice webbing or egg sacs in areas where the spiders congregate.

Jumping Spider with its hairy body

In addition, you may see more jumping spiders around your home if there are more insects in the area. Jumping spiders prefer to live near areas where prey is abundant, such as around windows and doors.

How long do they live?

Jumping spiders can live for up to a year in cold climates. In warm climates, they typically only live for a few months more.

Interestingly, different species of jumping spiders may have different life expectancies. Some live for many years in cold climates with daylight, while others have a more limited lifespan.

All You Need to know about Jumping spiders

Jumping spiders have very strong segmented legs that allow them to jump great distances. This is an important part of their hunting and survival strategies.

Interestingly, the hemolymph pressure is what causes the legs of a jumping spider to extend. This occurs when the spider jumps, allowing them to reach their prey more easily.

Jumping Spider on its sheet web

When a jumping spider feels threatened, it can jump up to six times its body length by using extreme hemolymph pressure to contract the muscles and force blood flow to its legs. This allows the spiders to escape quickly and effectively.

Jumping spiders have great hearing and can detect prey from a long distance. They can distinguish between different types of sounds. This makes them very successful predators.

Interestingly enough, jumping spiders can detect the vibration of sound waves and interpret that information through sensory hairs on their bodies. 

How to Get Rid of Jumping Spiders?

Preventing jumping spiders from entering the home is important, as they can be harmful sometimes. There are a few things you can do to keep them out, such as

  • Sealing up cracks and crevices in your home
  • Use screens on doors and windows.
  • Keeping vegetation trimmed back
  • They are also attracted to light that can be found near windows and doorways.

Jumping spiders are common household pests in the United States. They are typically found in warm, dry climates and can enter a home through cracks and crevices in the exterior. 

What threats do jumping spiders cause?

Jumping spiders are not considered a great danger to humans. They are shy, kind, and they typically only bite humans if they feel threatened.

Although jumping spiders’ bites are not poisonous to humans. The bites are not harmful, but they may be painful. The venom of jumping spiders is not potent enough to kill or harm humans.

Jumping Spider on the branch of a tree

Final Thoughts

Though they may be small, jumping spiders are a fascinating group of spiders that deserve attention. They vary in shape and location; some web retreats are found under loose bark or between leaves, while others build their webs on tree trunks or fences.

Regardless of where they live, all jumping spiders have excellent vision and can jump several times their body length to capture prey.

Jumping spiders are fascinating creatures that have many unique and interesting characteristics. Some of these include their ability to jump, build webs, and use venom to kill prey. They also have various behaviors that can vary depending on the species.

In general, jumping spiders are beneficial to the environment and provide an important service by preying on other pests.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.