Jumping Spiders

Summary

The Tennessee Conservationist - Jul/Aug 2020 Jumping Spiders Jackson Gibson and Steve Murphree 2020-06-17 14:41:00 “Spiders that jump? Will they jump towards me?” The answer is “not likely” since these spiders will jump away using a dragline of silk if you get too close. If you disturb one at eye level, its jump to escape makes it look like a tiny, furry bungee jumper. Although most jumping spiders attempt to flee, some may display the intriguing behavior of turning to look at observers, even following our movement and coming closer for a better look. This is why these spiders are a favorite subject of close-up nature photographers. Jumping spiders are true spiders belonging to the family Salticidae. This name comes from the Latin “salto” meaning to jump or to dance with pantomimic gestures, the latter referring to their courtship dances. Salticidae is the most bio-diverse family of spiders, with nearly 6,000 species and just over 300 species known from North America north of Mexico. They are rather small critters (most are less than one half inch in length) with short, stout legs. We see these spiders quite often since, unlike most spiders, they are diurnal, or active during the day, and found in open areas where they are easily spotted. These spiders occur in such abundance and variety that many of the photos with this article were taken in one of the authors’ half-acre suburban yard! The most commonly seen jumping spider in Tennessee is the daring Phidippus audax, often found in our yards and gardens. This spider has iridescent scales on its fangs and a white-to-orange spot on top of its abdomen. Jumping spiders, like all spiders, are predators with venom in a pair of fangs, or chelicerae, at the front of their bodies. They have the greatest visual acuity of all spiders. Salticids hunt their insects and other prey by stalking. This is followed by a sudden jump to accurately land on their victims and inject venom. Their behavior is quite reminiscent of cats, but r...