Apache Jumping spider, a part of the Salticidae family, mostly thrives in the United States, Cuba, and Mexico.
Size: Females are large with a body length of 0.86 inches (22mm), while males have a smaller body not more that 0.12 inches (3.3 mm).
Color: There is a slight difference in coloration between both the sexes. Females have shades of orange on their abdomen and cephalothorax with black on the undersides. Their black legs also have orange or red rings arranged at intervals. The males, on the other hand, have a more solid tone. They have scarlet scales on their abdomen and cephalothorax. At the same time, the remaining part of their body and legs are glossy black.
Other Characteristic Features: Most of the species, particularly the males, have hairy legs. These spiders have bands and spots throughout their abdomen and cephalothorax.
The female closely guards the eggs laid in a silken sac till the time they hatch.
The juveniles that hatch from the eggs in spring and summer mostly replicate the female’s color. Their legs appear paler than the body.
Like other jumping spiders, they also do not build webs but make silken retreats resembling small tents to catch prey.
They have venom, which however, does not cause harm to humans.
| Distribution | North America (southwestern states), parts of Cuba, and Mexico |
| Habitat | Mostly in arid and dry regions like deserts |
| Predators | Birds, lizards, and frogs, as well bigger spiders |
| Diet | Smaller insects |
| Lifespan | 10 – 12 months |
Image Source: lh3.ggpht.com
Apache Jumping spider, a part of the Salticidae family, mostly thrives in the United States, Cuba, and Mexico.
Size: Females are large with a body length of 0.86 inches (22mm), while males have a smaller body not more that 0.12 inches (3.3 mm).
Color: There is a slight difference in coloration between both the sexes. Females have shades of orange on their abdomen and cephalothorax with black on the undersides. Their black legs also have orange or red rings arranged at intervals. The males, on the other hand, have a more solid tone. They have scarlet scales on their abdomen and cephalothorax. At the same time, the remaining part of their body and legs are glossy black.
Other Characteristic Features: Most of the species, particularly the males, have hairy legs. These spiders have bands and spots throughout their abdomen and cephalothorax.
The female closely guards the eggs laid in a silken sac till the time they hatch.
The juveniles that hatch from the eggs in spring and summer mostly replicate the female’s color. Their legs appear paler than the body.
Like other jumping spiders, they also do not build webs but make silken retreats resembling small tents to catch prey.
They have venom, which however, does not cause harm to humans.
| Distribution | North America (southwestern states), parts of Cuba, and Mexico |
| Habitat | Mostly in arid and dry regions like deserts |
| Predators | Birds, lizards, and frogs, as well bigger spiders |
| Diet | Smaller insects |
| Lifespan | 10 – 12 months |
Image Source: lh3.ggpht.com
