What Spiders Jump?

Spiders are often thought of as hovering in a web in the corner of a house, awaiting their unfortunate prey. However, there are many spiders that do not build webs for catching prey--they are known as jumping spiders, or salticidae. There are 4,300 known species of jumping spiders, including the very common red-backed jumping spider. While none of these spiders are poisonous, they can inflict a painful bite.

  1. Physical Characteristics

    • Jumping spiders can be identified by their row of four eyes across the face. They have four additional eyes arranged in two more rows on the head. Their large eyes give them excellent vision, useful for finding food. Their bodies are hairy, and males come in diverse colors, including metallic green and blue; females are a much duller grey or brown.

    Life Cycle

    • Female spiders are approached by the male by way of a noisy mating dance. The female lays many batches of eggs and protects them in a silk sac under tree bark or in cracks in buildings or trees. The young break free of the eggs looking like tiny adults, shedding skin as they get larger.

    Jumping Ability

    • Jumping spiders are not large, growing to less than an inch. They are capable of jumping anywhere from 10 to 40 times their own body length. They always trail a line of silk behind them in case they fall. They are hunters; unlike other spiders that sit in a web and wait, jumping spiders stalk their prey, using their excellent eyesight to watch any insects in the area. When the prey is in the right place, they leap on top of it and begin the kill process.

    Red-Backed Jumping Spider

    • The red-backed jumping spider is one of the most common jumping spiders in North America. Not to be confused with the red-backed spider, which is quite poisonous, this jumping spider is harmless. It grows to about 3/4 of an inch and is hairy, with its namesake red back. It makes nests under debris and hunts daily for prey such as caterpillars and moths. The females also eat the males.