Strange spotted Spider spotted

[jjohnwm]

We have a species of jumping spider in the UK. A tiny black and white thing. If approached they will turn and face you, looking at you. Then if you get too close they will jump off whatever they are on and "abseil" away on a filament of their silk.

Fascinating little guys. I'm glad they are only tiny because if they were tarantula sized I reckon they could be little menaces.

I read your post and thought that sounded suspiciously like the little zebra jumpers that were so abundant in S.Ontario when I lived there, and which I occasionally find here in Manitoba as well. Turns out they are the same species, Salticus scenicus, and that they are native to England and Eurasia but were introduced into North America (and other places) by human activity and are now common all throughout the northern hemisphere. I had no idea they weren't natives!

 

[Cal Amari]

Look I really like animals and am fascinated by nature. I've worked very hard personally I think to become nuetral on snakes. But spiders, you all are messed up. I can logically understand their benefits and can watch them in hi def on the nature shows, even have declared a dmz in my yard, patio and to an extent the garage. But cross my threshold and all deals are off, they will be squashed. and as pets, sorry thats just a bridge too far for me. I'd rather see a box full of scorpions than spiders.

 

[jjohnwm]

I can sorta kinda maybe see where you are coming from; as much as I love animals in general, spiders were a bit of a sore spot for me when I was very young. I'm sure that one of my psychopathic relatives did their best to instill that in me.

So, when I was in my early teens, I purchased a hatchling Redknee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi) to overcome that silly and baseless fear. Everybody knows this spider, even if not by name; when a movie director requires a big-ass hairy scary tarantula...this is the one they always choose. When purchased, the little guy was not much bigger than a Zebra Jumping Spider, and those were always easy for me to warm up to and handle. And handle it I did; the Redknee is known among arachnophiles as being extremely docile and friendly.

Believe me, this sort of self-help therapy works wonders. Today, I can still be startled by a big spider catching me by surprise, but by and large I have almost completely rid myself of any fear of spiders. C Cal Amari , you need to get outside and find a small jumping spider. Not sure where you live, but they are pretty much world-wide in distribution. You likely have a small species living in your yard right now. Jumpers are unbelievably alert and aware of their surroundings, and they are easy to handle as they don't move like lightning. I'm serious; give it a try, a little bit at a time, and stick with it. You'll likely wind up with a Bird-eating Tarantula as a pet next year.

Now...snakes? You don't like snakes? That's just weird...

How can anybody not love snakes?!?!?!?

 

[Cal Amari]

I'm in indiana and have been around the jumpers all my life, they actually don't bother me. It's the quarter sized house spiders and the spindly orb weaver type that tickle the primal inner brain and just can't be ignored. But I will continue with my yardwork or even relaxing on the patio after seeing them nearby, just can't have them where I sleep.

And snakes, I didn't purchase one but had friends who had several in their spare bedroom and garage in several tubs aquariums and totes on racks like many of the fishrooms I see on here. In my teens and early 20s I spent a lot of time there handling them and watching them grow and did overcome the fear part. Can't say I made it to love, but can appreciate their forms, colors, and behaviors as a nature lover.

I will handle other insects to show my kids, beetles, mantis, katydids, etc. I've narrowed down my list I won't handle to pretty much just centipedes, spiders, and mosquitos. At least that are native here.

 

[Ulu]

Most spiders I ignore, unless they’re indoors. I’ve only killed 2 widows inside my house in 23 years now, but I kill every one I can see. They show up in the trees and bushes because thats where the flies are, but one stumbles near my shed or boat every now and again.

I was bitten on the wrist in our Cayucos Ca home when I was 3 years old. I’ve been out for revenge on black widows ever since then.

 

[esoxlucius]

I don't mind spiders one bit. That is the harmless variety which we get in blighty. But if I was in a warmer climate and there was a high probability of a chance meeting with a widow, recluse, red back, wandering, funnel web etc etc etc, I think my outlook would change somewhat.

 

[tiger15]

Jumping spiders are no black widow or Tarantula. Majority of them are non venomous to human, they don't build disgusting spider web, and are the most interesting but underrated pet.

When I was a kid, I kept jumping spider as a pet in a transparent container. They have 4 pairs of eye, and the front pair have a structure of a binocular most sophisticated in the animal kingdom. They are agile, attentive of my presence, and turn towards me. I fed my pet spider with live house fly and watched him stalk the fry like a cat.

 

[Deadeye]

And here I am trying to find a widow to keep as a pet…
I caught one and quickly killed it in ether to preserve (I was taking an entomology class at the time) and immediately regretted the decision. Haven’t seen one since. Fascinating spiders and a good disposal for any unwanted pests.

I recently got a B. hamorii (Mexican red knee - technically the true one that was thought to be smithii in the hobby for decades) and it’s been great. She(?) is in premolt now so extra-stressful but one of the most low maintenance pets you can have. I also just got a striped devil scorpion (Paravaejovis spinigerus) and much like the T it’s super easy. Neither do much but are fun to watch eating.

 

[tiger15]

Jumping spiders are very different animal from slow moving tarantula and scorpion. They are active, agile and athletic, and behave like cat. They have sharp eye sight, active during the day, and will stalk and hop many times their body length to catch prey, while leaving behind a silk thread to recover in case they miss. No wonder they are called leopard and tiger in Asia, and are kept for fighting. Some tarantula and scorpion are highly venomous to human, but jumping spiders are all harmless to human for their small size and weak bite.

 

[duanes]

When one like her gets you. it takes a while for the slik to recover, took weeks.

I think shes worse than some of the scarier looking ones, that are always trying to get in.