Promoted
Theatrical Jumper
The Zebra Spider is known to have unique behavior amidst other jumping spiders. It is aware of humans and behaves differently when knowing it is observed. In particular, it lifts its head. I think I caught one of such moments in this photo. "Salticus scenicus" literally means Theatrical Jumper, and is not related to its common name, which describes the pattern on its abdomen.
Other theatrical behavior of this species is the courtship dance where they wave their legs and pump their abdomen. This is a female, however, who would only observe the dance.
The zebra spider is a common jumping spider of the Northern Hemisphere. Like other jumping spiders it does not build a web. It has a particularly large pair of forward facing eyes that help it to locate and stalk its prey before pouncing on it.
comments (2)