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Jumping Spider Rap Sheet
| Name: |
Jumping Spider |
| AKA: |
Eight Eyes, Skip |
| Scientific Name: |
Metaphidippus spp. |
| Description: |
1/8 - 3/8 inch; stout bodied; color is yellowish brown
to black. Some species have spots or bands on the abdomen. Spiders
have 8 legs (these are not insects but arachnids). Legs in this genus
are short and hairy with 2 claws at the tip of each tarsus. Although
it has 8 eyes (located in 3 rows on the anterior portion of the cephalothorax)
the first row has the largest pair. Spider vision is very good and
they are good hunters. These spiders belong to a large family of common
spiders. |
| Diet: |
As a carnivore and predator the jumping spider eats
other spiders or insects. They sneak up on their prey and when close
enough, suddenly leap upon it. Before jumping they attach a silk thread
or anchor line on which they can climb back if they miss their target.
They are not web spinners, but active hunters. |
| Habitat: |
In meadows, woods, on foliage, tree bark, fence posts,
tall grasses and even in your house. They make silken shelters under
bark or stones for hiding. |
| Wanted For: |
Jumping and scaring the dickens out of you. Jumping
spiders move so rapidly they startle the unsuspecting. |
| Last Known Location: |
Jumping across the carpet, or on trees/grasses. |
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