Jumping Spider
Salticidae (Family)
- Order & Family
- Araneae (Order) / Salticidae (Family)
- Size
- Typically small, ranging from 1 mm to 25 mm (0.04 to 0.98 in), though most commonly seen species are 5-10 mm.
Natural Habitat
Extremely diverse; found in almost every terrestrial habitat including forests, scrublands, deserts, mountainous regions, and very commonly in and around human homes and gardens.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous predators that actively hunt prey rather than using webs. They eat flies, crickets, moths, beetles, and other small spiders. Some species also consume nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Didurnal (active during the day) and known for their excellent vision and localized jumping ability. They stalk prey like cats and pounce. They are curious and often turn to look at observers. They use a silk dragline as a safety tether when jumping.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: highly beneficial for pest control as they eat common household insects like flies and mosquitoes. Risks: Harmless to humans. While they possess venom, they are generally non-aggressive and their bite is usually too small to penetrate skin or causes only mild, temporary irritation.