Jumping spiders are recognized for their agility and exceptional eyesight. Unlike many other spider species, they do not rely on large, intricate webs to capture prey. This often leads to a common assumption that these active hunters might not produce silk at all. Do jumping spiders, despite their unique hunting style, still possess the ability to create silk?
The Simple Answer
Jumping spiders produce silk. While they do not construct expansive, sticky webs to ensnare insects, their silk glands are active. They utilize silk in various ways that support their lifestyle, which differs from the passive hunting strategies of other spider families. Their silk application differs from what one might typically associate with spiders.
Diverse Uses of Silk
Jumping spiders employ their silk for several practical purposes: safety, shelter, and reproduction, rather than prey capture. One common application is the dragline, a single strand of silk they continuously trail behind them as they move. This dragline serves as a safety tether, allowing them to quickly anchor themselves or recover if they miss a jump or fall. It acts as a safety line during their movements.
Beyond safety lines, jumping spiders construct silken retreats or shelters, often called “sacs” or “tents.” These small structures are spun in protected crevices, under leaves, or within bark. They serve as resting spots, havens for molting, and secure locations for overwintering. These retreats provide protection from elements and predators.
Female jumping spiders use silk to create protective egg sacs. After mating, the female spins a dense, silken enclosure to safeguard her developing eggs. This sac provides insulation and protection from environmental threats and predators, ensuring the survival of her offspring.
In some species, silk plays a role in courtship and mating rituals. While less common, male jumping spiders may spin delicate silk threads or use silk as an anchor point during their elaborate courtship displays. These threads help them stabilize as they perform intricate dances to attract a female.
Why No Hunting Webs?
Jumping spiders do not construct hunting webs because their primary method of acquiring food relies on active predation, a strategy that does not require a web. They possess acute vision, which enables them to precisely locate and stalk prey from a distance. This keen eyesight allows them to calculate distances accurately before launching onto their target.
Their powerful hind legs are adapted for incredible jumping abilities, allowing them to pounce on unsuspecting insects with precision and speed. This combination of exceptional vision and jumping prowess makes a static web unnecessary for capturing food. Instead of waiting for prey, jumping spiders actively pursue and subdue their meals. Their silk is primarily dedicated to ensuring safety during hunts, providing shelter, and protecting offspring.