Jumping spiders, the small and agile hunters, not only attract attention with their impressive behaviour, but also with their unmistakable appearance. What particularly catches the eye is the striking difference in colouring between the sexes – an exciting detail that arouses curiosity.

We take a closer look at these fascinating aspects in this article.

The appearance of jumping spiders

Jumping spiders are known for their impressive visual perception, which they achieve thanks to their large and expressive eyes. This feature makes them effective hunters. However, the males and females of these spider species can look very different, which often leads to the females being favoured by jumping spider enthusiasts.

Here are a few examples of female Phidippus species:

Preference based on colour

Many people find female jumping spiders more attractive, which is often due to their colouring. Females often present themselves in bright colours such as white or red, which are perceived as particularly appealing.

These colours stand in stark contrast to the often darker, sometimes black males. Black spiders cause unease or even fear in some interested parties, although male jumping spiders behave in exactly the same way as females.

The photos show examples of male Phidippus species:

The lottery of colours when buying

Anyone who decides to buy a jumping spider is often faced with a kind of gamble when it comes to the sex and therefore the colour of the animal.

With young jumping spiders, you can’t say for sure in advance what sex the spider you buy will be. This uncertainty makes the purchase an exciting moment, as the colour of the animal is only known after the sex has been determined.

One exception: Phidippus otiosus

Phidippus otiosus is a particularly fascinating species of jumping spider that is popular with jumping spider fans mainly due to its impressive colouring. Both sexes of this species are magnificently coloured and offer a spectacular display of colours that is independent of sex.

The females are characterised by a distinctive white face, which can vary from a narrow stripe to a large spot. In contrast, the males always have a black head, which is also wider than that of the females and is a beautiful black-orange colour. Their strong forelimbs, reminiscent of “gorilla arms”, emphasise their imposing appearance.

However, determining the sex of Phidippus otiosus is a challenge and can only be done reliably in the subadult stage, i.e. shortly before sexual maturity.

Conclusion

Jumping spiders are an excellent example of how visual beauty and behaviour are closely linked in nature. The different perception of the sexes based on their colour also reflects human aesthetic preferences and shows how subjective beauty can be.

In the world of the little hunters, however, all colours and shapes play their part in the sophisticated game of evolution and survival strategies.

If you have any further questions, please leave them in the comments below the article.