Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders belong to the family Salticidae and are by far the cutest spiders one can shoot macro pictures of.

 

This is a large diverse group of spiders of about 4,000 species worldwide and can be found almost everywhere on our planet. These spiders are relatively small, usually less than 1 cm long which makes them a harder to shoot macro insect, but the reward seeing them up close is fantastic.

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One of the most fascinating things about jumping spiders is their vision. Most spiders catch prey on webs and have a keen tactile sense for detecting vibrations. Jumping spiders, on the other hand, do not construct webs for catching prey. They actively hunt during the day, sneaking up on and catching their prey. As a result they need very good vision to capture prey.

 

These spiders are generally harmless to humans. They can bite, but this normally only happens when the spider is being crushed or other similar situation where its threatened with damage. The bite would compare to a tiny mosquito-bite only.

 

Learn more about them in my Nature Facts for Kids series.