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Ready to Jump


Ready to Jump
Photo Information
Copyright: Sue Thomson (SueThomson) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 116 W: 0 N: 192] (603)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-21
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Canon EOS 400D, Sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM
Exposure: f/8, 1/125 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Jumping spiders (Salticidae) of the world - part 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-22 1:11
Viewed: 1342
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This chap is a Garden Jumping Spider (Opisthoncus sp.), body length 10mm. The spider hunts actively during day time and is usually found hunting on green leaves. Garden Jumping Spiders are common in garden and backyards in Brisbane.

I hope when I upload the picture, you can see the piece of silk directly below the spider. I am guessing he was ready to jump until I came along with my camera and spoilt his fun!

Jumping Spiders
Jumping Spiders belong to a large family of spiders which contain very colourful species. They are small to medium size and are easily recognized by their eye patterns. Their front pair of eyes are very large, with another three pair of smaller eyes on thorax, in three rows of 4-2-2. They have very good eyesight and are active during the day. The arrangements of their four pairs of eyes give them virtually 360 degree vision.

Each species in this family have different colourful patterns on their body. When you look at them, they will either hide away on the other side of the leaf or will turn their head and look back at you.

Jumping spiders do not build webs. They make silken retreats between leaves, barks or stones. Their retreats usually have opening at both ends. They hide in their retreats at night and during winter.

The females lay eggs in their retreats in spring and summer. Their number of eggs is relatively fewer than most other spiders. Female spiders will guard their eggs. Usually Jumping Spiders will not hunt too far away from their retreats. Male and female may live together in mating season. This is not common in the spider world.

When Jumping Spiders move or jump, they always leave a safety line of silk, or the drag-line, behind. If the jump misses the spiders can climb back to its original position.

Jumping Spiders hunt on plants during the day. They have complex eyes system and considered to be the best vision among all the animals of their size. The eyes of jumping spiders, especially the largest pair of eyes, are constructed very differently from vertebrate and insect eyes. Each eye has a long eye tube which is attached with a set of muscles, it is capable of precise rotate and move. However, jumping spider's eyes can not adjust the focus. The retinas have a four-layer and tiered arrangement. There is another lens just in front of the retina. This makes the spider's eyes a telephoto lens system. The spider can see sharp image ranging from one body length to infinity. It is also believed the jumping spider can see colours.

They use their excellent vision to track the prey and estimate distance. Then suddenly jump on their prey. They use their third and fourth pair of legs for jumping. They seize prey by front pair of legs.

Information for my notes is sourced from: www.brisbaneinsects.com
Jamesp, zulfu, Silvio2006, gerbilratz, Art_R, JPlumb, yasin, rcrick has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To yasin: Jumping SpiderSueThomson 1 06-26 00:58
To JPlumb: thank you backSueThomson 1 06-25 01:31
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
  • [2008-06-22 1:28]

Hi Sue

Great shot of this little spider. Good POV and nice detail.

James

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1053 W: 0 N: 162] (866)
  • [2008-06-22 2:33]

Hello Sue, wonderful captured spider shot! TFS. Regards,
Mehmet

Hi Sue
Great capture. How creepy. I love the detail on this tiny fellow. TFS Di

Hi Sue, I love this critter, so clean and sharp, fine work to get such a tiny spider so detailed and clear. TFS, regards h

Hi Sue, wonderful spider, difficult light but well captured with splendid details, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 194 W: 16 N: 618] (2530)
  • [2008-06-23 21:30]

Hi Sue , nice jumping spider , I saw one of them but it was too quick for me :-) , nice focus , detail and composition. TFS
regards
Art

Hi Sue, very excellent detail seen on the jumping spider, and yes I see the piece of silk. Lighting looks like it was a little tough with the over exposure on the back but you captured the important areas, with the head, with those eyes and the legs, and that thin thread that I understand is so important in the hunt for these guys. Did you get up to the Port of Brisbane?

Thanks, John

  • Great 
  • yasin Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 31 W: 1 N: 43] (129)
  • [2008-06-25 3:04]
  • [+]

Very good details and POV, Sue. It was at a very high sun lights, wasn't it?
TFS,
Bima

Hi Sue.

Really nice shot of this Jumping Spider, wonderful colours and detail, a little hash lighting on the back, but other then that a great catch, I'll have to look out for these guys, really good work, all the best,

Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2569] (9065)
  • [2008-07-12 22:54]

Hello Sue,
what a great shot of this hairy chap. Clear image and nice play of the light.
looks very exciting and interesting.

regards,
Foozi

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