Jumping Spider

The jumping spider is from the family Salticidae, in the order Araneae, and in the class Arachnida. The name jumping spider really refers to almost any group of hunting spiders that can jump or leap anywhere from 10 to 40 times their own body length.

A close-up view of a jumping spider in midair.Depending on the specie, the spider will either jump or walk. There are around 4,000 described species for the jumping spider alone, making it the largest of all other spider species. More than 300 of those species are found in the United States, and about 75 species are found in Europe.

The jumping spider averages about 2 cm in length; the female spider is typically larger than the male. The jumping spider is also well known for its appearance; they are easily spotted. Jumping spiders generally are brightly colored, have very outstanding patterns, and are also hairy and sometimes stocky.

Altogether, this spider has four pairs of eyes, two of which give it an extremely sharp vision that allows it to see better than almost any animal the same size. All of the jumping spider’s eyes allow it to have 360-degree eyesight. On top of that, the jumping spider also can turn its breast around 45 degrees.

Jumping Spiders found in..

The jumping spider is typically found in tropical regions. The tropical regions they are found in are very different, from the rainforest to the Himalayas. The jumping spider can be found anywhere in these climates. If it’s day, the spider can be found on the ground, rocks, grass, or trees. At night or if it rains, the jumping spider will hide under rocks or a small web.

Because of the jumping spider’s good eyesight, their prey can be noticed anywhere from 30 to 40 cm away. At this distance, the jumping spider scans their prey; their eyesight is similar to that of a zoom lens on a camera.

The jumping spider will move closer when the prey is registered as eatable. The jumping spider even catches prey much bigger than its own size. The jumping spider does not use webs to catch its prey, but they attach a line of silk to its prey in case they fall. When the jumping spider is near their prey, they jump or pounce on it.

Jumping Spider Bite

The jumping spider is often mistaken for dangerous, but they are not. The jumping spider is not poisonous to humans. Like a wolf spider, the jumping spider typically does not attack humans unless they feel threatened or in danger.

A jumping spider bite may be hazardous if the person bitten is allergic to spider venom. Because of that, it is extremely important to consult medical attention when bitten by a spider, especially if the spider is unidentified.

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  1. Tiffany says:

    I just found one of these spiders in my room! It was HUGE! It looked like it would definitely bite. So, I went in the room with a can of spider killer and waited to take my shot. I sprayed the crap out of it once it went on the other side of the screen (between the screen and the window). EAW

  2. GeorgiaGirl93 says:

    OK, Y’all…I have spent the past hour or more reading comments and advise on how to deal with this fuzzy little bugger I have in a baby food jar. I found this site while trying to identify it. From the info you have put out, it sounds like a jumping spider. He has emerald green eyes that turned dark, stripes around his legs and three white (or beige) markings on his back. Knowing that we have, on occasion, found a silverfish-or something else-running around the house, I think it is in the best interest of us all to let him live, instead of crushing him underfoot or giving him a full-bodied swirly in the potty. If he comes back to bite me, I’ll come back to haunt YOU…no matter how long it takes! My son was bitten by a brown recluse on his second birthday and we thought he would lose part of his little hand, so we take arachnids of all types very seriously around here. I don’t mind the non-venomous critters…spiders, snakes or whatever…so I hope the “experts” on here are correct. However, I do not plan to teach him tricks or invite him to enjoy my homemade peach ice cream this summer. He can have the fruit flies and fruit gnats that show up to nibble on the peach scraps, though! Y’all have a nice day and don’t forget to thank the Good Lord who gives us all creatures great & small!! :) As Grandmother used to say, “You just better be particular about it!”!

  3. Jerri says:

    I have been bitten by something in my sleep for the past 4-6 months. We can’t find the culprit. 1. I am sleeping 2. I don’t feel it until the next morning. We have stripped the bed taken the mattresses of inspected them for any signs of bug (found non) vacummed and wiped down in and around the frame, changed all the linens and I am still getting bit. My husband does not get bit nor do my children if they end up in our bed. And it’s always the right forearm inbetween the elbow and wrist. Last night for the first time in the middle of the night I felt a sting, I scratched it and fell back to sleep, the next morning my wrist itched a little and was slightly red as the day progressed so did the swelling, pain and itching. This is how it always starts out, then it progressivly gets worse and it’s not until a day later when the swelling is at it’s worst that where I got bit appears and it start to raise among the swelling. After the swelling subsides about the 3rd day the redness becomes this huge rash that spreads to about the size of a large mouth cup. around the 4th day it all starts to subside and by the 5 day it’s gone except wear the bit was and that turns into a little scab. I have been to my doctor at various stages of the bit and they call it a general bite of somesort, well duh we know it’s a bit but what’s biting me? they can’t give me an answer. Now that I got that out of the way, Can anyone tell me what they think it might be that’s biting me?

  4. Addison says:

    I know that spiders are dangerous but, I haven’t been biten by one I just see them all the time.There is really something wierd about when I go to bed.Sometimes I will sleep with my daddy and he has a fan in his room and whenever it blows on my hair it feels like there is a spider on me.I really do hate siders alot.

  5. John says:

    I have been handling spiders since I was 4 years old and have never been intentionally bitten by a spider that I was aware was there and I’m 45 now.If they don’t feel threatened and are handled correctly you will not or should not have any problem with a spider accept for an aggressive species.

  6. Tiffany says:

    Has anyone had any luck using these spiders to rid brown recluse infestation? I have a brown recluse infestation in my home and other than sticky tape of the floor nothing really can kill them. But in doing some research I have read that these spiders are the brown recluse killer. My thought is to see were I can get some and let them go in my home. Much rather be bit by a jumping spider than a brown recluse. I also have a toddler, so using a lot of chemicals is out of the question, and the sticky tape does not make me fell better. But maybe this could be the answer to my sleepless nights. So if anyone knows if this would work please let me know. Also were to get a few to let off in the house would be nice also :) Thanks

  7. Audrey de Awesome says:

    Everyone who was bitten by a jumper, don’t blame them. I have handled about 30, and only bitten twice. Each time I drop them, or scared them. I blame myself, not the spider. If it is itchy or painful, check that you aren’t allergic to them.

    A Jumping Spider makes a good pet. Each has a different personality.
    They can be “Trained” through hard work.

    ~To Tame a Jumper~
    Find one and just stay around it for attest 5 Minutes. Then gently, gently, gently, pick them up. I would make sure that you are compatible with the personality “type”… As I have down research that they have these main types.

    -Types-
    Fighter = Needs quite a lot of attention for care, and should only be taken when you have had experience with Jumpers. This Type usually has some war scars.
    Calm = Best beginner. Doesn’t need much attention, and easier to “tame”.
    Attitude = These are odd, but they are like a mix. Just make sure to check it every once and awhile, and you should be fine.

    I have some Jumpers, I recently caught a female.

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