Jumping Spiders

• Jumping spiders belong to the Salticidae family of arachnids. These spiders are usually between 0.3 and 0.4 inches long and can jump up to 40 times their body length. Salticidae spiders are found in regions throughout Atlantic Coast states, including South Jersey. Jumping spiders use their jumping abilities and keen eyesight (they can see up to 12 inches away) to hunt their prey. These spiders do not build webs. This spider differs from other hunting spiders since it primarily hunts during the day. South Jersey's Salticidae species include woodland and North American jumping spiders.
  
  

Wolf Spiders

• Wolf spiders are large spiders that grow up to 1.5 inches when mature. All wolf spiders belong to the Lycosidae family of arachnids. These spiders are found in rural and urban environments throughout South Jersey. Wolf spiders hunt for their prey and do not build webs; these spiders live in preexisting ground burrows or tree logs. Hairy legs and their fangs make wolf spiders resemble wolves. Female wolf spiders carry egg sacs on their back. Wolf spider hatchlings also ride their mother's back until they are old enough to take care of themselves.
  
  

Cobweb Spiders

• South Jersey's cobweb spiders belong to the Theridiidae family and create cobwebs, which have erratic patterns. The web's pattern is built in a three-dimensional manner and meant to confuse the spider's prey. Cobweb spiders are also known as comb-footed spiders due to the bristles at the tips of their legs. The most venomous spider in New Jersey, the black widow, is a cobweb spider. Black widows have venom 15 times more potent than rattlesnakes. Female black widows may be identified by the red hourglass-shaped marking on their cephalothoraxes. Only females have a high level of venom. Other South Jersey Theridiidae species are the triangulate cobweb spider and common house spider.
  
  

Orb Weavers

• Black and yellow argiopes, spined micrathenas, Neoscona crucifera and marbled spiders are some of South Jersey's orb weaver species. Orb weavers are spiders that build round-shaped webs -- similar to an orb. These spiders hang upside down in the center of their webs and wait for insects or bugs to crash into their web. Most orb weavers live in urban gardens and forest settings, but these spiders will also develop webs near buildings. Orb weavers will often build and deconstruct a web in the same night; as a result, orb weavers are generally nocturnal creatures.