Jumping Spiders (Phidippus) are to me nothing but charm. All of 1/8 to 3/4 inch long. They are not a threat to humans, but if they feel trapped or threatened they will bite. And they are venomous but that venom is not dangerous to people.
They are carnivorous, eating for the most part small insects and spiders. But there are a few that will also eat nectar and one Central American species that will eat mostly plants. AND the Regal Jumping Spider (Phidippus regius) can kill and eat small frogs and lizards along with the usual insects and spiders.
There are more than 6,000 species of Jumping Spiders, the largest taxonomic family of spiders. This one (above) is the Daring Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax). One frequent characteristic of this species is the iridescent green hue of the chelicerae (mouthparts).
And just to illustrate that I am not the only one that thinks these spiders are CUTE, here is a “teddy bear” of a spider made by Steiff. This one sits next to me on my sofa every day.
5 responses to “Cute Spider”
Yikes! I do not mind spiders except when they look like brown recluses or black widows in my tent or shelter.!
Yikes! I do not mind spiders except when they look like brown recluses or black widows in my tent or shelter!
Hi Gary,
I do tend to agree with you on that. Spiders should know their place in this world and it is not in a tent, although I did read that jumping spiders will use their silk to create a little pup tent to spend the night in. I don’t think this was referring to *human* sized tents!
Stay warm and watch out for that ice!
Bren
I line up on the side of cute. I often find jumping spiders between my doors and in corners of windowsills both inside and out. I can’t tell which species without magnification. I usually catch them in a plastic cup and postcard before the cat can find them. He thinks they are toys, not healthy for the spiders.
Hi Nancy,
I rescue all my spiders with cup and postcard, and gently tell them that they don’t belong in the house. I hope they understand what I am saying and stay outside. Though I don’t have a cat with the exception of the occasional visit from my Grandkitty.
Thanks bunches for reading my posts!
Bren