Jumping spider (likely a Tan Jumping Spider)
Scientific Name: Phidippus audax (for Tan Jumping Spider, though precise species identification is difficult from the image)
Order & Family: Araneae, Salticidae
Size: Typically 4-15 mm (0.16-0.6 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Widely distributed in various habitats including gardens, fields, forests, and human structures. They prefer sunny, open areas.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory, feeding on a wide variety of small insects and other arthropods. They are ambush predators, using their excellent vision to stalk and pounce on prey.
Behavior Patterns
Known for their agile, jerky movements and acute vision. They do not build webs for catching prey but use silk for safety lines, egg sacs, and protective retreats. They are generally active during the day and often display complex courtship rituals.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Generally harmless to humans. While they can bite, their venom is not considered medically significant and bites are rare and typically only occur if provoked. Benefits: Beneficial to ecosystems and gardens as natural pest control, preying on many common insect pests.
Identified on: 11/9/2025