Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

13 Examples of Black Spiders That Can Jump

You may have been wondering if there are black spiders that jump. While it’s not uncommon to see them scurry across the floor, you’ve probably never seen one of them jump. Only a few spider species have this ability, and even if you’ve seen one, you might not be able to identify it. In this article, we’ll go over a list of 13 black spiders that can jump so that you’ll know the species the next time you see one!

13 Black spiders that jump

1. Bold jumping spider

Bold jumping spider on leaf
Bold jumping spider on leaf | image by Brian Tomlinson via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific Name: Phidippus audax

A Bold jumping spider is a spider that lives in North America’s open woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields. They have keen eyesight, which they use for hunting prey and courting mates. These arthropods release a line of silk when jumping to catch prey in case their jump fails.

Bold jumping spiders eat other insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, and they may even feed on other spiders. Females of this species also eat more frequently and seek larger prey than males.

2. Grand Canyon Black Tarantula

Grand Canyon Black Tarantula
Grand Canyon Black Tarantula| image by velmat via iNaturalist | CC BY – 4.0

Scientific Name: Aphonopelma marxi

The Grand Canyon Black Tarantula is a large tarantula found only in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. They can reach a length of 4 inches and are known to burrow in the ground.

These tarantulas have extremely strong legs that they use to jump. However, these species only leap to catch their prey, unlike jumper spiders.

The Grand Canyon Black Tarantula feeds on mice, lizards, insects, and even birds. They’re not dangerous unless provoked, and if you are allergic to spider venom, their bite can be painful.

3. Twin-flagged jumping spider

Twin-flagged jumping spider
Twin-flagged jumping spider | image by Judy Gallagher via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific Name: Anasaitis canosa

A Twin flagged jumping spider is a small arachnid that can be found throughout the southeastern United States. These spiders are commonly seen in areas with a lot of prey, such as gardens or parks.

They feed on ants and are known to be effective ant controllers. The head plate of a twin-flagged jumping spider has white spots, which help distinguish them. Unlike other spiders, they don’t use their web to catch prey; instead, they use their agility and jumping abilities.

4. Common Leaf-beetle Jumping Spider

Common leaf beetle jumping spider
Common leaf-beetle jumping spider | image by Salticidude via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0

Scientific Name: Sassacus papenhoei 

A Common Leaf-beetle Jumping Spider is a small spider found in various habitats throughout the southern United States, with some of the populations found in Minnesota. They frequently make their homes in rocks and shrubs, where they use their silk to construct a small tent in which to lay their eggs.

Because of their iridescent hairs, their black bodies can appear greenish or purplish. They also use this to their advantage when hunting prey by imitating beetles.

5. Pink Toe tarantula

Pink toe tarantula
Pink toe tarantula | image by Richard Adams via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific Name: Avicularia avicularia

The Pink Toe tarantula is a type of spider that prefer warm climates. They get their name from the pink color on the tips of their feet.

When threatened, they tend to jump at their opponent in order to fight or flee their presence. These tarantulas are easily startled and can jump up to 3 or 4 centimeters when caught off guard. They eat smaller insects like crickets, small spiders, and larger prey like lizards.

You may also like:  6 Scorpions that Glow in the Dark (How and Why)

6. Carolina wolf spider

Carolina wolf spider
Carolina wolf spider | image by codystricker via iNaturalist | CC BY 4.0

Scientific Name: Hogna carolinensis

Carolina wolf spiders are wolf spiders that live in North America. They can be found in South Carolina, Kansas, the Great Lakes region, and the American Southwest, where they feed on insects, worms, and even insect larvae.

These spiders are typically brown, but other species can be black. They can reach a size of 2.5 cm and live for up to 3 years. Carolina wolf spiders are also known for their ability to leap to catch prey.

7. Brilliant Jumping Spider

Brilliant jumping spider
Brilliant jumping spider | image by spidereyes2020 via Flickr

Scientific Name: Phidippus Clarus

A brilliant jumping spider is a spider that lives in small flowers found in old fields. Some male species are black with red and brown markings on their bodies.

These incredible spiders can jump 50 times their own length. They do this to both avoid predators and effectively hunt prey. Brilliant jumping spiders usually eat insects and spiders found in their environment.

8. Mexican Redrump

Mexican redrump
Mexican redrump | image by Pavel Kirillov via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific Name: Brachypelma vagans

The Mexican Redrump spider is a large, hairy spider with red hairs in its abdomen. They’re docile creatures, but they can become aggressive and defensive when provoked. It also lives in burrows in the ground, as well as under rocks and logs.

These spiders are active hunters who only emerge at night when it’s cooler. They’re ambush predators who hide until their prey gets close enough for them to catch them. Mexican Redrump spiders eat any insect that comes close to their burrow, but will also feed on larger invertebrates that they can handle.

9. Zebra jumping spider

Zebra jumping spider
Zebra jumping spider | image by Donald Hobern via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific Name: Salticus scenicus

Zebra jumping spiders are small, interesting spiders known for their ability to jump long distances, up to 10cm. Their small size makes them difficult to spot, but they can be identified by their striped white and black coloring.

These spiders can be found all over the United States and are frequently seen in areas where people live. The mating season for these spiders is in the spring and summer, when they can be seen performing courtship dances to attract females.

10. Regal jumper

Immature male regal jumper
Immature male regal jumper | image by spidereyes2020 via Flickr

Scientific Name: Phidippus regius 

A Regal jumper is a large species of jumping spider found in Florida’s peninsula. These spiders are black with white fringes on one of their legs. Although they’re only 6 to 18 mm in size, these species are the largest jumping spiders in eastern North America.

Unlike other spiders, webs aren’t used to catch prey. They use them to build nests in which to rest and lay eggs. Regal jumpers are active predators who will jump on their prey to catch them.

11. Brazilian Black

Brazilian black in terrarium
Brazilian black in terrarium | image by JanP33 via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific Name: Grammostola pulchra

The Brazilian Black is a spider that lives underground in the South American grasslands. They grow to be 6 to 7 inches long, and the females can live for up to 20 years. These arthropods aren’t aggressive creatures and are popular as pet tarantulas.

Similar to other tarantula species, these ones only jump to grab their prey. Brazilian Blacks use their powerful bodies and legs to leap quickly and inject their venom to paralyze their victims.

You may also like:  5 Types of Millipedes in Texas (Pictures)

12. Banded Phintella

Banded phintella
Banded phintella | image by Vengolis via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0

Scientific Name: Phintella vittata 

The Banded Phintella is a striking-looking jumping spider. They range in size from 6 to 7 mm, with males being slightly smaller than females.

Their bodies are covered in blue and black bands, and they’re also capable of detecting UV light. The reflection they have from their bands also gives them an advantage when it comes to attracting females and having to mate with them.

13. Red-backed jumping spider

Red-backed jumping spider
Red-backed jumping spider | image by Kaldari via Wikimedia Commons

Scientific Name: Phidippus johnsoni

Red-backed jumping spiders are among the most common spiders in North America. They’re small and fast, and their bright red abdomen makes them easy to spot.

Males and females can be distinguished by the black stripe on their abdomen, which only females have. They can also imitate wasps from the Mutillidae family, which have the same color as them.

Most of their nests are built beneath rocks, trees, and grapevines. These arthropods eat insects half their size and practice cannibalism.

Wildlife Informer

About Wildlife Informer

WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature.