Jumping Spider - Phidippus princeps
Family Salticidae
Live jumping spiders photographed in the wild, unposed. Jumpers do not build spider webs for trapping prey - they use them for hiding and laying eggs only. Prey is stalked and killed much like a cat stalks a bird. A spider silk "lifeline" is always at the ready; if threatened, these guys rapidly lower themselves into the underbrush. They also use the line to climb back into postion should a jump go awry and they miss their target.

The more I see and study these spiders, the more captivating and fascinating they become. It is apparent others feel the same way; there is no dearth of information on Salticids on the web. Here are some links explaining astounding features of these creatures: The Tree of Life Web Project has an excellent jumping off place. There are articles, pictures and diagrams covering anatomy, physiology, vision, even movies of them pouncing.

The Arachnology Homepage has an astounding array of informational spider links.