Advice from Owlie - The Spooky Special (Jumping Spider)

Q: Dear Owlie,

This week, I visited the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park with my Scout troop to earn my Water Scout badge, and guess what? I saw the spookiest spider I have ever seen! It was super tiny like the size of a dime, but that’s not all, this spider looked like it could fly! Can you help me figure out what type of spider this is?

Thanks Owlie!

Sincerely,

Spooky Spider Scout 

A: Dear Spooky Spider Scout,

HOO-HOO-Hurray! Congratulations on earning your Water Scout badge! Taking part in the Water Scout Badge Program is a great way to explore everything that the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park has to offer.

Now, to answer your question, it seems that the spooky spider you are describing is a jumping spider! These curious little spiders have two features that make them super unique. First, jumping spiders have amazing vision! Unlike most spiders, jumping spiders do not spin a web to catch prey. Instead, jumping spiders rely on their front set of eyes to measure the distance they need to leap and catch prey.

Second, as the name suggests, jumping spiders like to jump! In fact, they can jump up to 40 times their body size! Scientists suggest that jumping spiders can rapidly increase the blood pressure in their legs which gives them the boost they need to leap through great distances effortlessly.

Be on the lookout for the jumping spider during your next visit to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park!

Talk to you all soo(HOO)n!

Owlie