What Do Jumping Spiders Look Like?

There are about 4,000 species of jumping spiders. Unlike other spiders who have poor vision, the jumping spider can actually see really well with their four pairs of large eyes that make it seem as though they are “looking you right in the eye!” They actually have three rows of eyes that make it easy for them to see all around them. These spiders are small and their bodies are covered in thousands of small hairs which gives them the traction they need to climb up glass and walls. Male jumping spiders are more colorful than the females. Males will perform a dance for female spiders to attract a mate.

Where Do Jumping Spiders Hide?

Jumping spiders live and hide in a variety of places, including forests and grasslands. They are not nocturnal like some other spiders, so you can see them out and about throughout the day. These spiders are most active where they have access to food. Jumping spiders are hunters, and do not spin a web to wait for their food to come to them. Instead, they track their prey and travel great distances to find food – pouncing on them to bite and inject venom into their prey once found. Jumping spiders enter homes on clothing or on plants, usually. Once inside, these spiders can often be found along walls, window sills, and ceilings.

What Do Jumping Spiders Eat?

Jumping spiders eat other spiders, insects, bugs, and can consume pollen and nectar.

Are Jumping Spiders Dangerous?

Jumping spiders scare the living daylights out of people who fear spiders by jumping or pouncing when they feel threatened, but they are not particularly harmful or dangerous. They are not aggressive and try to stay away from people in general. Most jumping spiders would try to get out of your way before resorting to biting you. But if you are bitten by a jumping spider, they do produce venom, although it is considered non-medically threatening.