Do Jumping Spiders Make Webs? Debunking Common Myths

Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) are fascinating creatures known for their extraordinary vision and powerful hunting abilities. Unlike many other spider species, they do not build complex webs for capturing prey. Instead, they rely on their agile jumping skills and situational silk production for various purposes. This article explores the myths and truths about jumping spiders and their web-making behaviors.

Myth: Jumping Spiders Build Webs for Prey Capture

Some people mistakenly believe that jumping spiders construct elaborate webs to trap their prey. However, this is far from true. Jumping spiders do not build webs for the purpose of trapping and ensnaring insects. These nimble hunters rely on their keen eyesight and explosive jumping ability to capture small prey swiftly and efficiently.

While jumping spiders do produce silk for several practical purposes, such as creating draglines for safety or building small sheltered retreats, their primary hunting method does not involve web construction. Instead, they use their silk threads as protective measures and to secure their positions during hunting.

Females and Their "Cave Web"

Female jumping spiders, interestingly, do create a distinctive type of structure when they have mated. A "cave web" is a flat, sedentary retreat with one opening serving as an exit. These webs are small and white, often camouflaged to avoid detection. Notably, the largest size of a jumping spider's retreat is comparable to the size of an American quarter coin, making them quite diminutive.

It is unclear if male jumping spiders make similar structures, as this specific behavior has not been widely documented.

Temporary Retreats and Nests

Some jumping spiders create semi-permanent or regular shelters from coarse irregular webs in desert shrubbery. However, most jumping spiders make only temporary retreats or resting sacs, primarily to rest, avoid ants, or to molt. These temporary shelters are small and serve as safe hiding spots for the spiders.

It is important to note that all spiders, including jumping spiders, do create some form of silk for various purposes, including laying over their eggs. However, these egg sacs are not elaborate webs but rather protective coverings.

.TAG: Hunt Visually, No Web

Jumping spiders are adept hunters, and their hunting strategy is distinct from that of web-weaving spiders. Instead of using their silk to ensnare prey, they utilize their silk in a more tactical manner, often dragging a continuous strand behind them as a safety line.

In the event of an escape from a predator, the spider can quickly drop to the ground using this silk strand, often to a safer location. This behavior, known as "suspended bivouac," is also employed by some jumping spiders to protect themselves from nocturnal predators.

Some jumping spiders even build more complex nests like silk tents, which act as additional protective shelters. These spiders spend their days hunting and may return to the same nest or create new ones each night, depending on their needs.

No Web for Prey Capture

Contrary to the common misconception, jumping spiders do not use webs to catch their prey. However, they do use a safety line of silk to aid in their hunting escapades. This safety line helps them to adjust their position and escape from danger quickly.

Jumping spiders have adapted to their environment with a unique hunting strategy that relies on their vision and agility. This approach allows them to hunt efficiently without the need for complex webs. Their use of silk is more nuanced and multifaceted, serving various purposes rather than a single use for prey capture.

Understanding the true nature of jumping spiders and their behaviors is crucial for accurate scientific knowledge and appreciation of their ecological roles. By dispelling myths and understanding the practical uses of their silk, we can better coexist and study these fascinating arachnids.