Carrhotus viduus, Family: Salticidae, Subfamily: Heliophaninae

8mm jumping spider, leather face, shot with diffused internal flash

Jumping spiders belong to the family Salticidae. These spiders catch their prey by jumping on them. Species live in many habitats, from leaves lying on the ground, to the tops of trees in the forest, and even way up on Mt. Everest. They are found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica.

At present, 5026 species in 530 genera have been found. They are actually the largest family of spiders, with about 13% of all species.

They often hunt high up in bushes, or on vertical walls. Jumping spiders can jump long distances for their size, as much as 16 cm.

Salticids do not necessarily follow a straight path in approaching prey. They may follow a circuitous course, sometimes even a course that takes the hunter through places where the prey is not visible. Such complex behaviour is hard to reconcile with an organism that has such a tiny brain.

Because they have very good eyes, jumping spiders can see human beings when they approach. Some jumping spiders may run away from approaching humans, and others seem not to be very much afraid. But either way a jumping spider will watch a nearby human being. When they do not run away, but do turn to keep watch over a human being, it may seem that they are interested in us. Some of them will even jump from where they are sitting on branches, rocks, etc. onto a person's finger or camera. These spiders only bite to get something to eat or to defend themselves, so if they jump on somebody's hand they will not bite. People get bitten if they pinch or squeeze a jumping spider.

Jumping spiders are able to climb glass and other very smooth surfaces because besides having two claws on each foot they also have sticky hairs (called scopulae) that hold onto the surface.