Forest jumpers

The northern tropics are home to a diverse array of jumping spiders (Salticidae). These relatively small spiders are diurnal and are extremely active hunters. They visually locate their prey using their eight eyes which are spread around their heads. The two large anterior eyes provide the spiders with particularly good vision and allow them to judge distances accurately. Most species will stalk prey to within their preferred strike range then leap on it with a great burst of energy. Some species can leap up to 30 times thier body length. Many species will attack prey up to, and sometimes beyond their own body size. Here are a handful of species we have encountered so far.