Getting to know jumping spiders
Tiny but charismatic, jumping spiders include colourful green jumping spiders (Mopsus Mormon) and dancing flying peacock spiders (Maratus volans).
Like all spiders, these tiny wonders have eight legs and two main body parts.
Jumping spiders have eight eyes and incredibly good vision. They often hunt for small insects or spiders during the day by jumping on them.
Help us learn more about threatened jumping spiders
If you’re visiting the Stirling Range National Park in Western Australia or surrounding forests, keep an eye out for the threatened Sarah’s peacock spider (Maratus sarahae).
Jumping spiders Gallery
Adanson's House Jumper
Hasarius adansoni
Garden Jumping Spider
Opisthoncus
North Queensland Jumping Spider
Cosmophasis micarioides
Join the Bug Hunt for jumping spiders
By taking photos of jumping spiders and uploading them into iNaturalist, you can help grow our knowledge about where they live and what habitat they like. You might even help discover a new species.
In iNaturalist, go to projects, search for ‘Bug Hunt Australia’ and join.
Tips for spotting and photographing jumping spiders
Jumping spiders can often be found on plants on sunny days, but you do need to look closely to spot them.
When taking photos for iNaturalist, remember:
- Have your GPS location turned on.
- Take lots of photos and zoom in.
- Avoid disturbing them though – just photograph them as you find them.
- Upload your shots photos directly through the iNaturalist app, or through your computer at www.inaturalist.org. The app AI may suggest a specific species, but if you’re not confident on the species identification (some species can look quite similar), just select the level of identification you are most comfortable with – it could be ‘jumping spider’ or even just ‘spider’ if you’re not sure. Experts in the iNaturalist community can then suggest a more specific identification for you.
- Adding a photo or some notes about the type of environment nearby can help build knowledge about what kind of habitat they like.
Backyard jumping spiders
Green jumping spiders (Mopsus Mormon) are commonly spotted in backyards along the coast of Queensland and northern parts of Australia. The Jovial Jumping Spider (Apricia jovialis) is common across much of eastern and southern Australia.
To find out what jumping spiders are being observed near you, go to www.inaturalist.org/observations and search for ‘jumping spiders’ in your location.