Jumping Spider

Description:

There are about 5,000 species of jumping spiders. They come in a variety of sizes, but typically are small spiders usually no more than 3/8" of an inch long, at least here in Minnesota.

Habitat:

Jumping spiders are the largest family of spiders and are found in a wide variety of habitats ranging from forests, to houses, to bleak mountain slopes well above timberline.

Notes:

Jumping spiders are active hunting spiders that stalk their prey; they do not build webs, although they trail a silk dragline in case they fall. They are capable of jumping several times their own length and do so to escape predators or to leap on to prey. I have handled rats and snakes (not at the same time), but spiders typically make my skin crawl. Jumping spiders, however, are an exception. These little guys have great eyesight, will bend their bodies to look at you. They seem to be unusually intelligent and have personalities as well. They are fascinating animals and I love to watch them. This particular spider landed on my book as I sat reading at a Acadia National Park (Maine, US) picnic bench. I couldn't resist spending about an hour photographing him/her.