Bugland: Jumpin’ Jack Flash

The Phidippus Audax, aka Bold Jumping Spider, is know for its audacious jumps. In fact, these vaulters can jump up to 50 times their own body length. They live all over Park Hill and are easily recognized by their green or blue iridescent fangs. Their large, forward-facing eyes provide them with very good stereoscopic vision, which helps for stalking prey, and also allows some visual communication with other jumping spiders – including courting dances. Jumping spiders are not dangerous, and would rather run (or jump) away than mess with humans. Photo by Mark Silverstein