Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Domestic Help – Salticus scenicus

Zebra spider (salticus scenicus)
This zebra spider (Salticus scenicus) was helping clean around the house the other day and we snapped this photo. Zebra spiders are a type of jumping spider. They do not build a web, but rather move around looking for prey. We were glad to read that jumping spiders are noted for their awareness when being watched by humans and often turn their body toward the observer. We were starting to get a little wigged out there. More on jumping spiders. The genus name we are guessing derives from the Latin verb root “to jump”. In Italian, the verb for jump is saltare.

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