Fun Tan Jumping Spider Facts For Kids

The tan jumping spider, platycryptus undatus, is a species of spider native to North America and Central America.  They are usually found on tree bark, fences, and other wooden surfaces or vertical surfaces where is can easily traverse, jump if the need arises, and it also acts as a camouflage to protect them from possible predators.  

A unique identifying feature of this spider is the fact that it has eight eyes and all of them face forward almost seeming like it's looking at you, which is not something seen in other species of spiders. These spiders are likely to be seen outdoors as compared to indoors.

In this article, we will take a look at some fun and interesting facts about the tan jumping spider species. If you like this article then check out the jumping spider and the hobo spider.

Tan Jumping Spider Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a tan jumping spider?

The tan jumping spider, platycryptus undatus, is a type of spider and belongs to the Animalia kingdom.

What class of animal does a tan jumping spider belong to?

Tan jumping spiders are anthropods and in particular, belong to the Arachnida class of species.  

How many tan jumping spiders are there in the world?

The exact number of tan jumping spiders is not known. There are a total of 45,000 species of spiders found in habitats all over the world.

Where does a tan jumping spider live?

Tan jumping spiders can live in trees, woods, wooden surfaces, on a farm, or even in a house. They prefer to stay outdoors than indoors.

When seen in a house they are largely harmless however if they are attacked they release a hormone that is not poisonous to humans however it might cause itching or swelling which might need medical attention.

What is a tan jumping spider's habitat?

Tan jumping spiders prefer vertical surfaces such as tree trunks, fence posts, and walls. They are seldom seen indoors except in autumn where they are likely to spend more time indoors. During winter these spiders usually hide under bark within small silken cocoons.  

Who do tan jumping spiders live with?

Jumping spiders or, platycryptus undatus, are solitary beings and are active during the day. There are few exceptional cases where certain species mimic ants when adult males cohabit with females. Jumping spiders never nest together. They are also seen near houses and hence around people but are harmless as long as they are not troubled.

How long does a tan jumping spider live?

The average lifespan of a tan jumping spider is one year. The oldest spider on earth is lived until the age of 43 years and was simply known as number 16, she was a female trapdoor tarantula living in western Australia.

How do they reproduce?

Jumping spiders have interesting courtship dances. Male wave their forelegs like semaphores and drum on the ground with rhythmic patterns.

These motions and patterns are not to be considered as food. After mating, the females lay eggs in silken cocoons in small crevices throughout summer. Their silk is used to mark retreats and protect their eggs.

The finished look is reminiscent of a fried egg and an oval-shaped egg. Eggs, as well as the young and adult, can survive the winter in spun cocoons usually under tree bark and in other tight niches.

What is their conservation status?

Tan jumping spiders are Not Listed by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).

Tan Jumping Spider Fun Facts

What do tan jumping spiders look like?

Known by their scientific name platycryptus undatus or the tan jumping spider is usually seen in and around vertical surfaces or tree bark. It's camouflaged with gray, tan, and brown coloring with flecks of white, black, and, in some instances, red patches. Their chevrons tend to be lighter than the rest of the abdomen.

The color pattern is usually variable. Some of them have a zebra-like resemblance while others appear uniformly gray.

Their bodies are flattened with their face facing forward. Their fangs are fuzzy and usually white in color in males and black shiny and hairless on females. They have four pairs of eyes facing front unlike other species of spiders.

How cute are they?

It's amusing to know about such a species of spider since they are cute as any spider could be. This spider is furry and brown to gray in color with goggle-like eyes looking at the person or thing in front of them.

They are curious about human beings and rarely bite unless it's absolutely necessary. These spiders are effective pest controllers.

How do they communicate?

They communicate primarily via movement. Males usually perform a dance to inform females on mating calls as well as to inform them that they are not food. They make use of vibrations and other movements to communicate other information as well.

How big is a tan jumping spider?

The tan jumping spider females are 10-13mm and males are 8.5 to 9.5mm which is 20 times bigger than the patu digua, the smallest species of spider which is 0.37mm in size roughly the size of the head of a pin.  

How fast can a tan jumping spider move?

Tan jumping spiders can leap five times their body length making them one of the most efficient spiders in terms of movement. They are fast runners and usually pounce on their prey, such as insects, to immediately bite and consume them.

How much does a tan jumping spider weigh?

Tan jumping spiders weigh less than 0.5oz, approximately 13.5mg. It can cover distances more than five times its own body length in one jump.

What are their male and female names of the species?

Male spiders are called pedipalps and female spiders are called epigynum. Females of the species are usually larger in size as compared to their male counterparts. They also have different reproductive functions.

What would you call a baby tan jumping spider?

A baby tan jumping spider is referred to as a spiderling. They are barely seen in the open and are referred to as eggs initially. A group of baby spiders together are referred to as a clutter of spiders. Baby spiders are equally dangerous and should not be touched even if you ever see them, which is extremely rare.

What do they eat?

Tan jumping spider platycryptus undatus are carnivores and feed on insects like flies, moths, and other spiders smaller than them.

Are they poisonous?

They are not poisonous but capable of stinging through biting so be careful. If you ever spot one it's best to contact the pest control system in your state or city to get rid of them safely.

Trying to kill them puts them in a position of threat that is dangerous for them. Their bites usually require medical assistance, since in most instances their bites cause itching or swelling which needs to be treated timely.

Would they make a good pet?

They are intelligent beings and make good pets to those who enjoy keeping spiders as pets. Since they don't cause harm intentionally they are mostly safe, however, it does not eliminate the possibility of threat.

If you ever encounter one of these species make sure to keep a distance from them and contact professionals for further information in case they sting you. They employ silk as a dragline when they jump from one place to another.

Did you know...

The most poisonous spider in the world is the brown recluse spider, followed by Brazillian wandering spiders, yellow sac spiders, and black and brown widow spiders.

The front two eyes of the tan jumping spider provide it 3D vision while the other six eyes are positioned over the head to provide 360-degree views of possible prey and predators. Once they detect prey they immediately pounce upon them, bite them and consume them.

Do jumping spiders recognize their owners?

Most spiders have bad eyesight however the tan jumping spider has relatively good vision. Despite this, it's difficult to say if these spiders recognize their owners. In most instances, they look at you and often just get comfortable around you.

They don't like being touched by hand. They usually respond to their own mirror images and watch videos showing insects. When shown videos of moving crickets they attack the screen.

Why do jumping spiders tilt their head?

Spiders don't have an iris and their lens is solid. The easiest way for them to deal with this is to angle their head, and you can see the spider carefully tilting its head to get a better look at the videographer pestering him.

They have 360-degree vision. They can also not hear voices the same way as humans do hence they cannot recognize their owner's voice.

These unique species are friendly and good pets to spider lovers and are a species you must know about. If you ever spot one, don't panic instead observe to see if you are able to correctly identify them from a distance.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods including the brown recluse spider or the leafcutter ant.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our tan jumping spider coloring pages.