Jumping Spiders (Family Salticidae) are often called the "puppies of the spider world." In Utah, they are common on sunlit window sills and garden walls. They are one of the few spiders that will actually track your movement with their eyes.
The EyesThey have the most distinct eye arrangement of any spider: two massive primary eyes in the center of their face, giving them a "cute" or "attentive" look.
The BuildThey are compact, fuzzy, and robust. They have shorter, thicker legs than most spiders.
The ColorsUtah species vary from the common black with white spots to vibrant metallic green "fangs" (chelicerae) seen on the Bold Jumper.
Visual HuntersUnlike most spiders, Jumping Spiders hunt during the day. They have incredible eyesight and can see in high resolution and color.
The LeapThey do not build webs to catch food. Instead, they stalk their prey like a cat and pounce. They can jump up to 50 times their body length.
The Safety LineBefore they jump, they attach a small "dragline" of silk to their starting point. If they miss their target, they simply climb back up their silk bungee cord.
Do they bite humans?Rarely. They are curious and may "hop" toward you to get a better look, but they are not aggressive. A bite only happens if they are squished and is comparable to a minor bee sting.
Why is it watching me?Because they have such high-quality vision, they are genuinely curious about large moving objects. They are one of the few insects or arachnids that will purposefully turn their "head" to look at you.
Are they beneficial?Extremely. They eat flies, gnats, and even other smaller spiders. Many Utahns consider them "good luck" roommates.
