The Evarcha jumping spider is among the most popular species of jumping spiders out there. While it is a member of the family Salticidae, there are 85 species of this jumping spider and one duly recognized subspecies distributed across the world.
In terms of look, the Evarcha jumping spider doesn’t have so much going for it, and that’s because it isn’t as colorful as other species of jumping spiders. As a matter of fact, Evarcha looks rather sturdy and not very colorful. Plus, they often look brownish.
Besides its not so cool look, this jumping spider is a brilliant hunter and excellent jumper with lots of exciting things you’ll want to learn about. Read on to find everything you need to know about the Evarcha jumping spider.
What is the scientific name of the Evarcha jumping spider?
Most jumping spiders have a general name they go by, and for this one, it is scientifically called Evarcha. But with almost 85 species and one recognized subspecies of this jumping spider distributed across the globe, you’ll come across different types of the Evarcha jumping spiders, each with their unique characteristics.
Where does the Evarcha jumping spider come from?
Even though the Evarcha jumping spider can be found on all continents, it is quite popular in Southern and Eastern Asia, Africa, and Australia. In Australia, for instance, there are two known species of Evarcha, and they include the E. longula and Evarcha infrastriata. Plus, the latter is also a native of New Guinea. One thing we love about the Evarcha jumping spider is its ability to thrive in the most difficult of environments. From temperate to tropical regions, our spider friends can thrive without any problem.
Physical description and size
In terms of size, Evarcha appears to be medium-sized and measures between 5 to 7 mm. When viewed from above, their head looks a little roundish and widest behind the posterior lateral eyes. Also, they sport a low carapace with a flattened upper surface. Just underneath their posterior median eyes sits tufts of long setae. And unlike other species of jumping spiders out there, the Evarcha jumping spider features a chelicera that has a single retromarginal tooth. Plus, their abdomen looks a little long and rounded.
Though their other legs are not missive in build, they seem to have a much longer first leg.
Habitat
Although Evarcha can thrive very well in almost all environments, they seem to love the shrubs and short plants in damp areas. Also, they love the grasses and tree foliage of woodlands and open forests. So if you’re looking to catch one or just get a glimpse of what this spider looks like, these are the places you want to check out.
What do they feed on?
One thing you can’t take away from the Evarcha jumping spider is its excellent jumping and hunting skills. These skills come in handy in the wild, where they fend for themselves. As agile jumpers and skilled hunters, our fuzzy friends use their excellent vision to stalk prey and take them out with their precision jumps.
Our furry friends feed on insects like moths, crickets, flies, roaches, and even grasshopper in the wild. And even though they appear small, they aren’t scared of taking on insects twice their size.
Unfortunately, when Evarcha is bred in captivity, it can no longer hunt and fend for itself. As such, you have to make sure you provide feeder insects. And honestly, that shouldn’t be a problem, especially considering that these feeder insects are available in pet stores close to you.
What is their temperament?
Just like other jumping spiders out there, the Evarcha jumping spider isn’t hostile. Because of how friendly this jumping spider is, many exotic pet lovers are looking to keep it as a pet.
And even though they can bite, they only do so when they are handled roughly or feel threatened. So if you handle it with care, you shouldn’t be worried about getting bitten by your spider friend.
Is it dangerous or venomous to humans?
Are you worried that the Evarcha jumping spider may just be poisonous? Well, you have nothing to worry about. Even though the Evarcha jumping spider has a potent venom that can paralyze its prey, its venom isn’t harmful to humans.
And in case you ever get bitten by this spider, you’ll only notice mild pain with a bit of redness and irritations that disappears after a couple of days.
Frequently asked questions
Can you keep Evarcha jumping spider as a pet?
For jumping spider lovers looking for an intelligent and brilliant pet, the Evarcha jumping spider is worth checking out. Although it can bite, it rarely does so. And even though it is poisonous, it isn’t harmful to humans. And because it is friendly, you’ll enjoy many exciting moments just observing the antics of this exceptional jumping spider.
What can’t you feed an Evarcha jumping spider?
Although an Evarcha jumping spider will feed on small and large insects like crickets, mosquitoes, flies, moths, and even grasshoppers, feeding it hard-shelled beetles and ants is a big no-no as these group of insects can end up harming your spider friend. Also, they don’t do too well with large insects, so try not to offer those to your furry friends.
How long can Evarcha jumping spider live for?
Like other species of jumping spiders, the Evarcha jumping spider has a short lifespan. In the wild, our leaper friends can live for six months to one year. On the flip side, when bred in captivity, they can survive for almost two years. And just in case you don’t know, the females live longer than their male counterparts.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Evarcha jumping spider is unique in many ways. Unlike other jumping spiders, the Evarcha isn’t very colorful. And because they are smart hunters and skilled jumpers, they can fend for themselves in the wild.
Sometimes the Evarcha jumping spider can be an uncommon predator, and that’s because it likes to feed on vertebrate blood by opting for blood carrying mosquitoes. And even though they are venomous, they aren’t harmful to humans.
