CRITTERS

[McGrandpa]

Hey Cleve, looking at a bunch of pics of the Jumpers, some of them sure remind me a LOT of Fiddler Crabs, in the body.  They ain't got any pincers of course.  But that boxy like head, that does fit!

[McGrandpa]

Yessir!  And that's funny, the little Jumper chasing your mom up onto the bed!    Thats even worse than a mouse.  Which is huge next to a Jumping spider!   
Watching a couple of them outside while I was sitting at the porch table, and had my orchid and Banzai tree there, they would jump back and forth between them several times, then run their little 'zip' line they put out before jumping.   well mostly it was the bigger one doing most of action.  The littler one did a couple jumps, then sat and watched the other one.   Since the Salticidae don't weave webs for prey, the only thing I can think of they were doing was having fun.  Seriously!  I mean hey, if Vultures and Buzzards can play, then why not spiders!    So I can see that little Jumper definitely having a bit of fun on your Mom!  LOL!

[Agent0013]

With intelligence comes curiosity, and in my experience jumping spiders are curious. That said, they are also smart enough to recognize potential danger to themselves, hence their fast way of moving. If you get one cornered, it will try to be as menacing as it possibly can; "Don't mess with me! I bite!" LOL


Mom was deathly afraid of all spiders, and one time she had a jumping spider chase her until she got up on the bed. I was laughing when she told me that story, but I know it was true. That little jumper was having a good time at her expense. LOL

[McGrandpa]

That is no joke They're FAST!   They sometimes like adventure and allow their natural curiosity to get them out and about near us.   But, not in all settings.   The Jeep GC is spacious and roomy inside, specially for a little critter like the Jumper!   I think it likes its privacy there.   :)

[Agent0013]

Ooh!  I saw that beautiful velvety black "compact" Jumping spider in my cars door frame again.   But it vanished when I got out the phone/camera.   It is only maybe 5/8" long, keeps its legs in close, has only tiny white dots on 4 of its legs, knees and two on top of its abdomen.   Truly a beauty!   Its "fur" really does look like deep black velvet, and like FUR.  Makes ya kinda wanna pet it, yaknow?   But that it isn't even as big as my pinky finger tip means it probably doesn't want me putting a hand anywhere near it.
Its chelicerae are beautiful emerald green, like the city of OZ!  Its eyes seem to be greenish too.  Not sure.  Need to get photos of it!

You'll probably have to have your camera at the ready. Those little cuties are fast.

[McGrandpa]

Ooh!  I saw that beautiful velvety black "compact" Jumping spider in my cars door frame again.   But it vanished when I got out the phone/camera.   It is only maybe 5/8" long, keeps its legs in close, has only tiny white dots on 4 of its legs, knees and two on top of its abdomen.   Truly a beauty!   Its "fur" really does look like deep black velvet, and like FUR.  Makes ya kinda wanna pet it, yaknow?   But that it isn't even as big as my pinky finger tip means it probably doesn't want me putting a hand anywhere near it.
Its chelicerae are beautiful emerald green, like the city of OZ!  Its eyes seem to be greenish too.  Not sure.  Need to get photos of it!   

[McGrandpa]

Oh you can bet there are Jumping Spiders all over the place!   You just need to know where and when to look for them. 

Daddy Long Legs.   I have read they have venom that is among the deadliest there is.   But, their fangs are too tiny to be able to break our skin.   Which makes them safe for humans.   EH!   Wolf Spiders, like the Jumpers, have venom that is NOT "human active".   Their defensive bite can certainly hurt, as its meant to.  But they are smart, both of them.   They know we aren't a food item, and for the most part, we won't eat them.   So, they tend to just avoid us.   It's cool when they come out of hiding just to check us out, investigate the godzilla like critters that go stomping around their world.   
They don't like our skin, as its too oily.   And if sweaty, way too salty.   other than that, they will study you as intently as you study it!   To me, that's very impressive!

[deeleelaw57]

Nice pictures McG


I don't know a lot about spiders except as I stated earlier I like them, I don't bother them and they don't bother me. I have been searching the internet to identify the critters in my home. All I knew was one was a daddy long legs. I found the others were wolf spiders. Both are harmless to humans and are great at pest control. The wolf spider does not spin a web but does use a single strand of webbing to descend from cabinets and other high places. I also learned we have jumping spiders here in So Ca. Although I haven't seen any jumpers.

[McGrandpa]

Gee!   I did not expect to post the Be all END all piccys!    :nopanic; :crazy: :sad: :pleeeeez:

:whacked:

[McGrandpa]

So  then some spiders are more fang-led than others!   LOL!    The Argiope and (most) Salticidae have fangs long enough they are folded against the cephalo-thorax, between the leg roots.   This I say as an observation, not as a 'fact'. 
this is one I've been calling an Argiope since 2007 when I took these photos.   It's a big spider, whole body an inch long.  Its web stretched over 15' wide and 8' high, between the side of the house and the property line cyclone fence.   I've read these put their web up fresh every morning.   They eat their old web as they are cutting it down.   Very industrious creatures!   This one really didn't want to be disturbed.  Shame on me!

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