The Euophryini jumping spider is a tribe of jumping spiders famous for their bright colors and distinct courtship display. Over the years, this jumping spider species have been treated as the subfamily of the Euophryinae.
While their bright and beautiful colors make them a joy to behold, their antics and hunting skills are almost similar to any other jumping spiders out there. From tropical regions to temperate areas, our spider friends have adapted to almost all environments and can effectively fend for themselves in the wild.
If you have always wanted to learn more about the Australian peacock jumping spider, you’re welcome to read further, as today’s post has everything you are looking for and more.
What is their scientific name?
While this jumping spider is commonly called the Australian peacock spider or scientifically is known as the Euophryinae, it is scientifically called the Europhryini. And just like its name, this jumping spider is brightly colored and attractive. Plus, they are more commonly sighted around Australia, little wonder why they are referred to as the Australian peacock jumping spider.
Because of their colorful look and friendly nature, many exotic pet lovers are looking to keep the Australian peacock jumping spiders as pets.
Where is the Europhryini from?
Although the Euophryini jumping spider has become an introduced species of jumping spider, they are native of Canada. Today, there have been sightings of these gorgeous jumping spiders in the US, Europe, the UK, Canada, Asia, and Africa.
Thanks to their ability to thrive in almost all environments, our fuzzy friends will do very well in temperate and tropical regions.
Because of their friendly nature, this jumping spider species can be kept as pets because they aren’t harmful to humans.
What is their mating behavior?
Even though our spider friends have many things going for them, one thing that distinguishes them from other jumping spiders out there is their distinct mating behavior. Using their bright and bold colors, the males exhibit unique courtship display to attract their female counterparts.
To start with, the male Euophryini spider has a bright abdomen, an elongated third pair of legs, and very visible lateral flaps. Thanks to these characteristics, our spider friends can attract their female counterparts for a mating session. In an attempt to attract a mate, the male Australian peacock jumping spider elevates its colorful abdomen while waving its elongated third pair of legs and lateral flaps.
Physical description and size
Like we mentioned earlier, the Euophryini jumping spider has a lot going for it in terms of physical description. Thanks to their bright and super attractive color, our fuzzy friends are easy to identify.
Males usually sport colorful abdomens and long third legs that are mostly brown/black. And just so you know, their legs are adorned in unmistakable white brushes. On the flip side, females appear cryptically colored, just like their male counterparts. The only difference is that females look mottled brown/beige.
During courtship, a male Euophryini jumping spider usually raises his abdomen and waves its third pair of legs to attract its female counterparts. Additionally, males also have lateral flaps that extend from their abdomen like a fan. This fan-like structure and bright colors give them that colorful peacock look they are known for.
When it comes to size, the Euophryini jumping spider doesn’t measure up with some of the big jumping spiders out there. And even though the females are slightly bigger than their male counterparts, this species of jumping spiders measures between 2 to 6 mm.
Habitat and distribution
As we mentioned earlier, the Euophryini jumping spider is a native of Australia and is widely spread across the southern half of the country. And because they can quickly adapt to any environment, our spider friends can live in a diverse range of habitats, including sand dunes from the temperate coast to the lush grasslands of the semiarid regions.
Because most Euophryini jumping spiders are ground-dwelling, you will mostly find them on leaf-litter, especially in woodlands. Some of them have been sighted on shrubs and young grasses.
What do they eat?
Euophryini jumping spiders are regarded as diurnal cursorial hunters because they feed mostly on insects and other small spiders. Thanks to their extraordinary vision, our spider friends can patiently stalk their prey, lure them close and pounce on them using their devastating jumping skills.
Unlike other spiders who rely on their webs to catch prey, the Euophryini jumping spider doesn’t use webs for hunting. Instead, it depends on its sharp eyesight and devastating jumping to capture its prey.
Because of how skilled they are at jumping, our leaper friends have been observed to jump almost 40 times their body length. In the wild, they will feast on mosquitoes, flies, crickets, and other small spiders.
What is their temperament?
Although our spider friends are vicious hunters, they are friendly and not harmful to humans. When they encounter humans, their first instinct is to get away. Because of their friendly nature and bright colors, this jumping spider species are mostly raised as pets, especially by exotic pet lovers.
Is it dangerous and venomous to humans?
One question we get asked a lot is whether Euophryini jumping spiders are dangerous and venomous. To be honest, our spider friends are venomous. But guess what, their venom isn’t harmful to humans. Plus, they only bite when they are handled roughly or feel threatened.
Frequently asked questions
What is their unique mating behavior?
One distinct characteristic of Euophryini spiders is their unique courtship display where males look to attract females. Much of their mating ritual involves males raising their abdomen and waving their third leg in a bid to attract a mate.
Can you keep them as pets?
Giving their friendly nature and attractive color, our spider friends will make a great pet. And because they are easy to feed and manage, you’ll not go overboard to ensure that they feed properly.
What can you feed them?
If you intend to keep this jumping spider in captivity, you have to provide feeder insects like flies, roaches, mealworms, crickets, and other smaller insects, so your fuzzy friend doesn’t starve.
