Zebra spider (Salticus scenicus)

Zebra spider
Zebra spider

Zebra spider fact file

Zebra spider description

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilySalticidae
GenusSalticus (1)

The zebra spider (Salticus scenicus) is one of the most familiar of the British jumping spiders, and is often found on sunny house walls (2). As the name suggests, this small and attractive spider is black with stripes of shining white hairs (2). Males can be distinguished from females as they have a set of huge chelicerae that are used in battles with other males (3).

Size
Female length: 5-7 mm (2)
Male length: 5-6 mm (2)
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Zebra spider biology

Jumping spiders do not make webs; instead they actively hunt their prey by creeping up and then jumping on them, disabling them with their jaws (5). They are equipped with excellent eyesight, and probably have the most developed eyes of any arthropod. Four of the eight eyes are large and forward-facing giving it stereoscopic vision; the other eyes are arranged so that the spider can see completely around its own body (3). If you slowly wave a finger at a zebra spider it is likely to turn so that it has a good view. They leave a line of silk behind them in case they should lose their footing (3).

In males, a pair of leg-like appendages called the pedipalps (or simply ‘palps’) are used to transfer sperm to females during copulation. During courtship, a zebra spider male has to be very careful when approaching the female, or she may react aggressively or even mistake him for a prey species. He signals to the female with his front legs before mating. If successful, he transfers his sperm to the female’s reproductive organ (the epigyne) (3).

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Zebra spider range

This species is widespread and common throughout Britain (2). The zebra spider is also widespread throughout Europe, northern Asia and North America (4).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

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Zebra spider habitat

The zebra spider is found on and around walls of buildings, fences, window frames and on tree trunks (2) (1).

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Zebra spider status

The zebra spider has not yet been classified by the IUCN Red List.

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Zebra spider threats

The zebra spider is not threatened.

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Zebra spider conservation

Conservation action is not required for the common zebra spider.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

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Find out more

For more on Invertebrates and their conservation see:

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Authentication

Information authenticated by Dr Peter Merrett of the British Arachnological Society:
http://www.britishspiders.org.uk/index.html

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Glossary

Arthropod
The Arthropoda are a very diverse phylum (a major grouping of animals) that includes crustaceans, insects and arachnids. All arthropods have paired jointed limbs and a hard external skeleton (exoskeleton).
Chelicerae
Pair of appendages on the ‘head’ of an arachnid (spiders, scorpions, mites, harvestmen etc). In spiders and harvestmen these appendages are jointed and are used to kill prey, and in defence. In spiders there is a poison gland at the base of each chelicera, from where a duct leads to the tip of the fang.
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References

  1. National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (January2004)
    http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn
  2. Roberts, M. J (1993) The spiders of Great Britain and Ireland, part 1- text. Harley Books, Colchester.
  3. Microscopy UK (January 2004)
    http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmay00/zeb2.html
  4. Merrett, P (2004) Pers. comm.
  5. Arachnophiliac.com (January 2004)
    http://www.arachnophiliac.com/burrow/british_spiders.htm

More »Related species

Himalayan jumping spider (Euophrys omnisuperstes)Clynotis (Clynotis albobarbatus)Liphistius (Liphistius malayanus)David Bowie spider (Heteropoda davidbowie)Australian jewel spider (Austracantha minax)Crab spider (Thomisus onustus)Painted swift spider (Supunna picta)Giant tarantula (Theraphosa blondi)

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Zebra spider  
Zebra spider

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