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Australian Wildlife

  Jumping Spider (Opisthoncus polyphemus)





Jumping Spider | Opisthoncus polyphemus photo
Jumping spider - species Opisthoncus polyphemus

Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.

Jumping Spider | Opisthoncus polyphemus photo
Jumping Spider

Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.







JUMPING SPIDER FACTS

Description
This jumping spider has black and white pattern on the head. The rest of the body is pale brown with white markings. It rolls up a leaf into a tube to make a retreat. The eyes are arranged in two rows and the first pair are large and forward facing. They can turn their head to look at things around them.

Size
6mm

Habitat
common in shrubs and trees, on the ground, and around railings and ledges on buildings.

Food
insects such as flies and moths that they pounce on.

Breeding
The female lays eggs in a sac hidden in a rolled up leaf.

Notes
Many jumping spiders are harmless. Some will bite if roughly handled causing mild local pain, but no long-lasting effects.



Classification
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneomorphae
Family:Salticidae
Genus:Opisthoncus
Species:polyphemus
Common Name:Jumping Spider

Relatives in same Genus
  Biting Jumping Spider (O. mordax)
  Jumping Spider (O. unknown species)