Once this guy comes back out I hope to get better shots


Daring Jumping Spider

The Daring Jumping Spider is one of the most common spiders in our area. It gets its name because of its amazing leaping ability.

Male Daring Jumping Spiders are between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch long. Females are slightly larger.

This spider is black with a gray or white crossband on its abdomens (back body section) and several gray or white spots.

The Daring Jumping Spider lives in woods, fields, or gardens. It is often seen on tree trunks, fallen limbs, leaves, or other ground litter.

These spiders do not build webs to catch prey. Instead, they hunt their prey on foot. They do use silk to make a small shelter under a leaf or bark.

To catch prey, Daring Jumping Spiders sneak up on it, then pounce. They can leap great distances when you consider their size.

These spiders eat all sorts of insects, as well as other spiders. They do most of their hunting during the day.

Daring Jumping Spiders have some of the best vision of all spiders. They have eight eyes. Four big eyes are located on the spider's face. The other four are on top of the head.

Female spiders use silk to put eggs in. They usually stay in their silky leaf shelter until the eggs have hatched and all the spiderlings have left.

Predators of Daring Jumping Spiders include birds, shrews, lizards, and other bug-eating creatures.