# Jumping Spider (*Salticidae*)

> Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) are small, sharp-eyed hunters found on sunny walls, plants, and woodlands worldwide. Most are just 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) including their legs, yet they have superb vision and can leap many times their body length to pounce on prey. Rather than build webs to catch food, they stalk and ambush insects by day. Individuals typically live about a year and are of Least Concern.

- **Category:** Invertebrate
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Sunny walls, plants, and woodlands on every continent except Antarctica, from the tropics to mountain slopes.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/jumping-spider/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Arachnida
- **Order:** Araneae
- **Family:** Salticidae

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Salticidae (family) |
| Diet | Carnivore (insects and other small arthropods) |
| Habitat | Sunny walls, plants, and woodlands worldwide |
| Lifespan | About 1 year (varies by species) |
| Size | Mostly 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) including legs |
| Top speed | Leaps many times its body length |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN, most species) |

## Appearance and remarkable eyes

Jumping spiders are compact and often furry, with most species measuring just 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) including the legs. Their standout feature is a set of eight eyes, dominated by two large forward-facing eyes that give them the sharpest vision of any spider. This excellent eyesight lets them judge distance accurately before a leap and recognise prey, mates, and rivals. Many species are boldly patterned, and the males of some are strikingly colourful.

## How jumping spiders hunt

Rather than snaring prey in a web, jumping spiders are active daytime hunters that stalk and pounce. Using their keen eyes, a spider will spot an insect, creep closer, carefully line up the distance, and then leap onto it with a precise pounce. Before jumping it anchors a silk dragline to the surface, which acts as a safety line if it misses. They do not run down their prey over long distances, relying instead on stealth and a sudden, accurate leap.

## The secret of the leap

Jumping spiders do not have large muscles in their legs to power a jump. Instead they rapidly increase the blood-like fluid pressure inside the body, which extends the rear legs almost explosively and launches the spider forward. This hydraulic mechanism lets them leap many times their own body length despite an overall crawling speed of only about 1.6 km/h. The trailing silk dragline helps steady them in flight and lets them climb back if a jump falls short.

## Diet and behaviour

Jumping spiders are carnivores that feed on insects and other small arthropods, including flies, moths, and even other spiders. A few species supplement their diet with nectar or plant matter, and some specialise in hunting particular prey. They are curious and alert by nature, often turning to face and track movement, which gives them an unusually inquisitive appearance. Being active by day, they are among the spiders people most often notice on sunlit walls and leaves.

## Courtship and life cycle

Male jumping spiders perform elaborate courtship displays, waving their legs and, in some colourful species, showing off bright body patterns to females. After mating, the female lays eggs in a silk nest, often tucked under bark or a leaf, and may guard them until the young hatch. Most jumping spiders live for around a year, growing through a series of moults before reaching adulthood. They are harmless to humans and are of Least Concern.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do jumping spiders build webs?

No, jumping spiders do not build webs to catch prey. They are active hunters that stalk and pounce, though they do spin silk for shelter, egg sacs, and a safety dragline used when they leap.

### How far can a jumping spider jump?

Jumping spiders can leap many times their own body length, which is remarkable given their tiny size. They power the jump by increasing internal fluid pressure to extend their legs rather than using large leg muscles.

### Are jumping spiders dangerous to humans?

Jumping spiders are harmless to people. They are small, shy, and not aggressive, and a bite is rare and no worse than a mild sting.

### What do jumping spiders eat?

They are carnivores that eat insects and other small arthropods such as flies, moths, and even other spiders. A few species also take nectar or plant matter to supplement their diet.

### Why do jumping spiders have such good eyesight?

Because they hunt by stalking and pouncing rather than trapping prey in a web, sharp vision is essential. Their two large forward-facing eyes give them the best eyesight of any spider, allowing them to judge distance before a leap.

### How long do jumping spiders live?

Most jumping spiders live for around a year, though this varies by species. They grow through several moults before reaching adulthood.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Salticidae.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Salticidae&searchType=species)
- [Wikipedia — Jumping Spider.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_spider)

---
Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/jumping-spider/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.