Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Creature Feature #361: Jumping Spider

The Jumping Spider Family, Salticidae, contains more than 5,000 species. These eight-legged hunters have excellent vision, with four pairs of eyes, including her large anterior eyes. This vision assists her in hunting, courtship and navigation. She is a diurnal hunter, preying on small insects. She makes her leaps by altering the pressure of fluid within them, allowing her to jump several times the length of her body. She does not build webs, using her silk as a safety rope, but occasionally will create a small silken shelter to protect her - and her eggs. Certain species of Jumping Spider have been shown to be capable of learning, recognising and remembering colours, and changing her behaviour accordingly.

No comments: