With more than 6,000 documented species worldwide, jumping spiders earn their name from their exceptional leaping abilities. However, their most remarkable feature may be their extraordinary eyesight—among the best in the animal kingdom, surpassing even cats.

 

Vision and Eyes 

Jumping spiders possess eight eyes total, with two large, dominant eyes positioned at the center of their face. These primary eyes function like telescopes: behind the visible front lenses lie fluid-filled tubes extending deep into the head, which magnify distant objects and bring them into sharp focus. Most species can perceive three colors similar to humans, while some can even detect ultraviolet light. The remaining six eyes serve as motion detectors, monitoring their surroundings for movement without capturing fine details.

 

Hunting Behavior 

Unlike web-building spiders, jumping spiders are active hunters. They patrol their territory on foot, and when they spot prey, they stalk carefully before launching themselves onto their target. They subdue victims with a venomous bite that both immobilizes the prey and begins breaking down internal tissues for easier digestion. This venom poses no medical threat to humans, and jumping spiders rarely bite people or other animals they cannot consume—they conserve their venom for actual prey. Through my own observations caring for these spiders, I’ve noticed they seem to recognize and trust their human caretakers, forming a kind of relationship that further reduces any inclination to bite.

 

Jumping Mechanics  

Their impressive jumping ability—often many times their body length—comes from a unique hydraulic system rather than large leg muscles like grasshoppers use. They build internal pressure within their legs and release it explosively to propel themselves through the air with remarkable accuracy.

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Pedipalps 

All jumping spiders have a pair of leg-like appendages called pedipalps located just below their dominant eyes. These versatile structures serve multiple functions: sensing their environment, manipulating food during feeding, and in males, storing and transferring sperm during mating. Male pedipalps are noticeably thicker and bulbous (resembling tiny boxing gloves), while females have slimmer, often more hair-covered pedipalps. Males also use these appendages to create vibrations on surfaces—a form of courtship communication to attract and impress potential mates.

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Mating

Males are typically smaller than females and must prove themselves worthy through an elaborate courtship process. To attract a mate, a male jumping spider must demonstrate that he is handsome, skillful, and strong—though scientists still don't fully understand the specific criteria females use to choose between suitors.

When a male encounters a female, he immediately begins an intricate courtship display that appears to us as dancing but is actually a form of singing. By rapidly vibrating his abdomen and striking the ground with his pedipalps, he creates minute vibrations that the female can detect and interpret. Research shows that females are three times more likely to accept a male whose "song" meets their standards.

If the female accepts his courtship, the male climbs onto her back and positions her abdomen to access her genital opening, where he transfers the sperm stored in his pedipalps. After mating concludes, the male's survival depends largely on luck—the female may kill and consume him, a behavior known as sexual cannibalism. While most people associate this practice only with black widow spiders, it's actually quite common throughout the spider family, including among jumping spiders.​​