Jumping Spiders (Salticidae) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Jumping spiders are a family of spiders with two large front-facing eyes, found on plants, tree trunks, and walls across the United States. Most hunt by sight in daylight, creeping up on prey and pouncing rather than waiting in a web.

In this group

Bold JumperPhidippus audax

This common Missouri jumper often appears on tree trunks, railings, and rocks. Look for a fuzzy dark body, pale abdominal spots, and green or blue mouthparts.

Dimorphic JumperMaevia inclemens

Look along forest edges and on climbing vegetation in the eastern United States. Adult males occur in two strikingly different color forms.

White-jawed Jumping SpiderHentzia mitrata

This slim jumper is often found in forests and on foliage. Pale mouthparts and a narrow body help point toward Hentzia.

Emerald Jumping SpiderParaphidippus aurantius

It occurs in woodlands, yards, and around houses. Green iridescent scales make many adults stand out.

Tan Jumping SpiderPlatycryptus undatus

Look on tree trunks, fences, and walls. Its flattened tan body and wavy dark pattern blend well with bark.

Appearance

How to recognize it: Two very large forward-facing eyes dominate the front of the face, with six more eyes around the sides and back of the head region. The body often looks compact and the legs relatively short.

Look-alikes

Wolf SpidersLycosidae

Jumping spiders have a huge central pair of eyes facing forward. Wolf spiders have a row of four small eyes in front and larger eyes set behind them.

Why they get mixed upBoth groups include active hunters that roam instead of sitting in a prey-catching web.

Crab SpidersThomisidae

Crab spiders hold their longer first two pairs of legs out to the sides. A jumping spider is more likely to show the unmistakable pair of very large front eyes.

Why they get mixed upBoth can be small daytime hunters on flowers and leaves.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: grasslands
woodland edges
tree trunks
walls and gardens
Range: Jumping spiders occur on every continent except Antarctica. In the United States, different species hunt on the ground, in low plants, on bark, and around buildings.
Preferred conditions: Sunny daytime searches often reveal them because many species are active visual hunters. The surface where a spider is hunting can help narrow the possibilities.

Behavior

Diet: They mostly hunt small insects and other , though the prey mix varies by species.
Activity: They watch prey, creep closer, and pounce while keeping a silk attached during a jump. Males use species-specific body movements and vibrations during .

Life cycle

Reproduction: Females make silk egg sacs and shelters, and many guard their eggs until they hatch. Spiderlings begin by taking very small prey.

Cautions

Cautions: Jumping spiders use venom to subdue prey. Bites to people are unusual and generally do not cause significant symptoms in the United States.

Name and classification

Group name: “Jumping spiders” is the usual U.S. name for the family Salticidae. The name describes how they pounce on prey.
Number of species: The family has 6,987 known species worldwide. The number changes as new species are described and classifications are revised.

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