Jumping Spider

Scientific Name: Salticidae (Family)

Order & Family: Order: Araneae (Spiders), Family: Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)

Size: Most jumping spiders range from a few millimeters to about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in body length, with males often being smaller than females.

Jumping Spider

Natural Habitat

Jumping spiders are found in diverse habitats worldwide, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and urban environments. Indoors, they may be found on walls, ceilings, windows, and in corners of rooms, as they prefer sunny areas and vertical surfaces where they can spot prey.

Diet & Feeding

Jumping spiders are carnivorous, preying on a wide variety of insects and other small arthropods. Their diet commonly includes flies, mosquitoes, moths, and other spiders. They do not consume plant matter.

Behavior Patterns

Jumping spiders are active hunters during the day. Unlike many spiders, they do not build webs to catch prey but instead use their excellent vision and jumping ability to stalk and pounce on insects. They can jump many times their body length to catch prey or escape danger. They are known for their curious nature and often turn to observe nearby large objects, including humans, with their large frontal eyes.

Risks & Benefits

Jumping spiders are generally considered beneficial as they help control insect populations, including common household pests like flies and mosquitoes. They are not aggressive towards humans and bites are very rare, usually only occurring if the spider feels threatened or is accidentally pressed against the skin. Their venom is not considered medically significant for humans, often resulting in only mild, localized symptoms comparable to a bee sting.

Identified on: 6/30/2025