“I’m afraid the spider will attack me!” Many people are afraid of spiders, especially those who can jump long distances. But jumping spiders are amazing animals.
Around 6,000 species of jumping spider have been described worldwide, more than any other species of spider. They are smart, they have excellent eyesight, and they are even cute in appearance.
Keep reading for amazing, incredible jumping spider facts from around the world.
5 incredible facts about jumping spiders
Check out some of the most amazing jumping spider facts.
Fact 1: jumping spiders can jump 10 to 50 times their body length
Most people can only jump a few feet, which is much shorter than their length or height. But imagine that you can jump 10 times your height – you can jump over tall buildings in one jump!
But jumping spiders can do just that. So a 1/2 “spider can jump 25” or more than two feet (most jumping spiders are 0.1 to 2.5 cm long – one inch or less)! How do these spiders jump so far? They raise blood pressure in two or four of the hind legs, expanding them to speed up jumping. They can use bimodal breathing – taking oxygen through the lungs of arachnids and the tracheal system. They also spin a single strand to stabilize the jump.
Fact 2: Jumping spiders are actually cute
Some people may think that the words “cute” and “spider” do not belong to the same sentence, but they have not yet met a jumping spider.
Jumping spiders have a special eye arrangement – two very large forward-facing eyes with small eyes on each side. Just like big eyes do kawaii The anime characters look cute and childish, just like the big eyes of this spider.
Jumping spiders are also furry, often with vibrant colors and bold patterns. Finally, their movements may resemble a dance when they “bite” the pedipalps – mouth-like appendages of the legs – or swing their front legs in a defensive position or mating dance.
Fact 3: jumping spiders literally have eyes at the back of the head
In addition to the four large cute eyes, the jumping spider has two more sets of eyes on its shell, for a total of eight eyes. The location of the eyes means that the spider has virtually no blind spots in its field of view. Thus, he can react quickly to danger or prey. It can move from place to place by eye. The jumping spider’s field of view extends about a foot – a huge distance for such a small animal. Due to their incredible vision, jumping spiders are difficult to kill or catch.
Fact 4: Jumping spiders are really smart
Although their brains are tiny, scientists have proven that jumping spiders are particularly intelligent and can learn. Here are some examples:
- Many species of jumping spider plan special routes to reach their prey, rather than just rush at it. This quality is usually only seen in larger carnivores. They can even imagine where hidden prey might be hiding and find them.
- Jumping spiders, belonging to the Spartaeinae subfamily, perform elaborate dances to attract a mate. Usually such small animals do not have the visual acuity to use this technique. Australian peacock jumping spider about the size of a grain of rice. He has a colorful fan on his back, which he expands and dances. He can dance for almost an hour, but if the female doesn’t like the dance, she eats the male spider!
- New Zealand scientists have developed an obstacle course that jumping spiders have successfully navigated. The maze consisted of towers, platforms, ditches (jumping spiders don’t like getting wet) and food containers. Their ability to plan and adapt when plans need to change is called “genuine cognition.” This means that they think before they act.
- Jumping spiders have a good memory. In the aforementioned study, spiders searched for a container that contained food, even after researchers replaced it with an empty container.
- Jumping spiders show loyalty to the terrain, which means that if they find a good hunting or nesting spot, they will return if moved.
Fact 5: Some people keep jumping over spiders as pets!
The following species of jumping spider are sometimes kept as pets:
- IN bold or daring jumping spider (Phidipp Audax) larger than many other jumping spider species – about the size of one segment of your finger. It is black with white markings and metallic green or blue fangs. As the name suggests, he is not as shy as many of his cousins. Originally from North America.
- IN regal jumping spider (Jumping mess) is another native of North America. This large jumping spider spins a silk nest to sleep in.
- IN tan spider-bouncing (Platycruptus undatus) lives under the bark of trees in the United States and Canada. While they fit well into their habitat, enthusiasts can grab this curious spider and carry it in their hand.
- IN zebra jumping spider (Salticus scenicus) can be found throughout North America and Europe. Its name comes from the characteristic cream and black stripes.
- IN elegant golden jumping spider (Chrysilla lauta) may be one of the most colorful invertebrates. It lives in the tropical forests of Asia and has unusual coloration in shades of gold, red, blue, pink and green. This spider is easy to mistake for decoration!
Jumping spiders are usually not bought at pet stores, but caught on the street like fictional Pokémon. Some sources say they adapt easily to a lidded aquarium that has at least a cubic foot of space and plenty of branches, rocks and plants to hide in. What do people do with a house
j
umping spider? They allow them to crawl on their arms, feed live insects, and shoot videos of their antics on social media.
Next: Do bumblebees bite?
Jumping spiders: 5 incredible facts! FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are jumping spiders dangerous for humans?
Jumping spiders are generally not dangerous to humans. Jumping spiders are small, and many bite attempts do not even damage the skin. The University of California-Davis reports that jumping spider bites are usually less painful than a bee sting, and lead to scarring similar to that of a mosquito bite.
They will not look for you to bite – these spiders only bite if they feel threatened, for example, if you try to crush one of them with your hand.
Are jumping spiders friendly?
Many people describe jumping spiders as friendly. Their large eyes, movement of their forelegs and pedipalps, and their penchant for “dancing” make this type of spider the cutest of all arachnids. They also appear cautiously curious, often observing nearby people closely before hiding.
These spiders are not aggressive towards humans unless they feel their lives are in danger. They try to avoid direct contact. Their venom is weak and their small fangs may not damage their skin. However, spiders will bite if you squeeze, catch or crush them.
Why are jumping spiders jumping at you?
Jumping spiders do not jump at you to bite. They may see you as a threat or predator and try to jump off to escape. If they slip away from your face, they can accidentally land on your leg, arm, etc.
Alternatively, the spider might be interested in something. He can jump on you to get closer to a potential victim, or you can just be the “bridge” that he uses to get from one place to another. This is especially true if you find yourself between a spider and its nest – most likely, it is just trying to get home.
Can a jumping spider kill you?
The venom of the jumping spider is usually less severe than the sting of the average bee. However, people who are allergic to arthropod venom should seek medical attention in the event of a bite. Anaphylactic allergic reaction can be fatal if left untreated.
Where do jumping spiders live?
Three hundred species of jumping spider are native to the United States, and about 6,000 species are found worldwide. They live in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.
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