EASY
North America
1,5 CM
26-28 °C
Short description:
Phidippus audax are very hairy. The head segment (cephalon) and the thorax and the abdomen have a black ground coloration, which is lightened with small white hairs. The abdomen has a distinct pattern. In the center of the abdomen is a large, triangular white spot with two smaller spots behind and to the side of the large spot. The large spot may also be orange in juveniles, and the pattern of spots varies within the species but is always white, yellow, or orange. In some specimens there are two oblique lateral stripes. The chelicerae are iridescent green. Males are slightly smaller than females at 1.3 cm, have more contrasting markings, and are more distinctly iridescent on the chelicerae.
Like most jumping spiders, Phidippus audax hunts during the day. Phidippus audax actively watches its prey with its sharp gaze. Then it sneaks up on its prey and pounces on the food animal. When jumping spiders jump, they spin a series of threads for safety. This ensures that if the jump is unsuccessful, the spider will be caught by a safety line before it falls. Jumping spiders have much better eyesight than other spiders and are always on the lookout for prey and predators. This gives the impression when viewing the animals that they are very alert and extensively observe their surroundings.
A female can produce up to 6 clutches of 30-170 eggs each. The average total clutch size is about 200 eggs per female. Later clutches are usually smaller than earlier clutches.
More information about this spider:
Essentials for Phidippus audax!