Salticidae (jumping spiders)
The Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
Harmless
All species
Photo: Opoterser · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Family
Salticidae (jumping spiders)
Size
Body 8–19 mm
Region
North America
Habitat
Sunny walls, fences, gardens and window sills.
Overview
Charismatic, curious and fuzzy, with huge forward-facing eyes. It hunts by pouncing rather than building webs.
How to identify it
- Two enormous central eyes for sharp, colour vision
- Compact, hairy body — often black with a white or orange spot
- Iridescent green or blue chelicerae (fangs)
- Moves in quick hops, frequently turns to 'look' at you
Standout fact
Jumping spiders can see a wider range of colour than humans and even perceive some ultraviolet light.
