Jumping Spiders

Details

Jumping spiders are members of the family Salticidae, famous for their excellent vision and agile jumps. Instead of relying on large capture webs, they are active daytime hunters that stalk and pounce on prey, making them some of the most behaviourally complex spiders.

Basic Biology

• Scientific scope: Family Salticidae – jumping spiders (e.g. Phidippus spp.)

• Size: Mostly small, about 3–15 mm in body length; a few tropical species may be larger.

• Longevity: Typically around 1 year, occasionally up to 1–2 years.

Vision & Behaviour

Jumping spiders have a distinctive arrangement of large forward-facing eyes, especially the anterior median pair, which provides high-resolution vision. They can track moving objects, assess distance and execute jumps several times their body length. Many species show elaborate courtship dances and colour displays.

Most are diurnal, hunting in sunlight on leaves, walls, rocks and branches. They creep toward prey and suddenly leap, attached by a silk “safety line”. Some species mimic ants or beetles in both appearance and behaviour, which may help them avoid predators or approach prey.

Diet & Ecology

They feed mainly on small insects and other arthropods, such as flies, aphids and small moths, contributing to natural pest control in gardens and crops. Jumping spiders spin only small silk retreats for resting, moulting or egg-laying, not large prey-catching webs.

Venom & Human Interactions

Jumping spiders possess venom for subduing prey, but their small size and generally mild venom mean that bites to humans arerare and typically no worse than a minor insect bite. They are curious but not aggressive, often retreating if disturbed.