BluestSky
Jumping spiders make up one of the largest spider families. There are as many as 5,000 jumping spider species worldwide. Jumping spiders are found in gardens, grasslands, meadows, woodlands, and forests.
Most jumping spiders are compact and have hairy bodies 1/16 to 1/2 inch (2-16mm) long. They are often drab in appearance but tropical species can be vividly colored and have elaborate markings.
Jumping spiders have not two but four eyes which gives them a binocular vision. The middle two eyes which are much larger than the other two faces directly forward. The middle eyes judge distance, shape, and movement very accurately. The smaller outside eyes direct movement.
Jumping spiders are active during the day. They search for prey on the ground, on walls, and in bushes. When they spot a meal they jump; the two hind legs extend rapidly by hydraulic pressure. Before it jumps, the jumping spider attaches a safety line of silk in case it veers off course.
At night or when the weather is bad, jumping spiders retreat to a small, silken nest they make in a crack or crevice.
Jumping spiders belong to the Araneae order and Salticidae family.
