Jumping Spider

It is estimated that there are probably 15 to 20,000 species of spiders in Australia and only about 4,000 of them have been described.

The Jumping Spider family, Salticidae, is the largest and most diverse group of spiders in the world, with more than 5000 named species. Because many of them are cryptic and tiny – some being just a few millimetres long – Jumping Spiders are often overlooked.

While recently having our cuppa at a picnic table on Westernport Bay, a Jumping Spider sprang into view when it pounced on an unsuspecting mosquito. After quickly immobilising its prey, the spider disappeared between some cracks in the table.

Before finishing our cuppa, the spider re-appeared and stayed still long enough for some photos.

Jumping Spiders have two large eyes in the middle row. The other four eyes are generally enlarged a little also. They can jump relatively prodigious distances in order to capture prey. Many Jumping Spider species are strikingly colourful and males will sometimes give spectacular courtship displays (You Tube LINK)