The Zebra Jumping Spider

WHAT WETLANDS PARK SPIDER DOESN’T SPIN A WEB AND POUNCES ON ITS PREY?

Here’s a fact: the jumping spider family, Salticieae, is a large one, with over 2,800 identified species. These attractive small spiders (mostly less than ¾ – inch long) are usually brightly colored, and some are iridescent. They walk with an irregular gait, often “hopping” short distances. One species identified in southern Nevada/Clark County Wetlands Park is Salticus palpalis, which ranges  throughout the Southwestern United States and into Mexico.

Though this colorful little striped “jumper” was named and described by arachnologist Norris Banks way back in 1904, there’s not a whole lot written about its behavior. However, the Salticus genus of spiders has many common characteristics. “Salticus” comes from the Latin word “saltus” – to leap or jump, and that is exactly what these spiders do, pouncing on their prey from a distance rather than snaring it in a web. 

The spiders have keen vision. They have four sets of eyes arranged in three rows on their cephalothorax, which is the fused head and thorax of the spider. The front two, the principal eyes are the largest and most forward-facing, providing high-resolution vision. The remaining six eyes are arranged in two rows on the sides, offering a wide field of vision, especially for detecting the motion of prey and predators. 

Once a jumping spider spots prey, it can leap several times its body length to make a capture.  A human would have to make a standing jump of forty feet to equal the spider’s effort!  And jumping spiders secure themselves with a silk thread before they jump, just in case they miss the meal and want to go back to the place they leaped from!

After capture, prey is disabled with a bite of a toxin. Once the prey is subdued, the spiders have their meal. Their prey includes spiders, frogs, and lizards. flies, moths, crickets, roaches, mealworms, and wax worms. They also eat other arthropods, including smaller spiders and flying ants. In a pinch, jumping spiders have been observed consuming nectar from flowers as well.

Some people have gone so far as to say that jumping spiders are cute and cuddly (and perhaps they are). Jumping spiders are active and agile in daylight hours. They generally don’t bother humans, though if provoked a “bite” might leave a small welt. In fact, “jumpers” are quite popular as pets.  In his 1954 book The Life of the Spider, naturalist John Compton describes captive jumping spiders trained by his friends to jump onto their hands for food, and to jump from finger to finger as if they were climbing a ladder!

Physically, most female jumping spiders are larger than the males. Zebra spider females tend to be black with white/grey stripes on their abdomens. Males have browner stripes. The spiders have a complex mating ritual. The males perform a courtship dance, which includes the tapping and waving with of their legs, hopping, and wagging their abdomen, to attract a female.

If the female accepts, she signals back and the male climbs onto her back and deposits sperm. Mating can last anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. However, if the female doesn’t accept, she may even attack the male.  Once on their own, mated females lay their eggs in silken cases. They usually stay with their eggs until the brood is self-sufficient.

It may take some work to find these critters unless you are in the right place at the right time. Look for them on plants, including bushes and trees. They are known to live in areas with rocks, stones, or under debris. They may be found near the Las Vegas Wash and Park Preserve ponds and streams. Look in sunny, exposed areas as they prefer warmer and drier conditions. Check during the midday hours when the spiders are most active. Look under rocks, logs, and other debris as the spiders use these for shelter and hunting opportunities. Close-focus binoculars are a wonderful tool for “spider observation.”

For most of us, it’s just good to know that jumping spiders are around!  For those of us who are fond of arachnids, be aware that they are in the Park and may be receptive to your advances!

– By Constance Carlson; photo by Jillian Cowles

Please enjoy these YouTube videos (note: they are not specific to Salticus palpalis):

Jumping Spider Facts: the CUTEST Spider

Zebra Jumping Spider