"Red Velvet Jumping Spider"
1/2 inch
I have caught fleeting glances of these on the cement over the years on Antelope Island but this is the first time I have seen one in the open.
Since they have excellent eyesight, they can usually see me coming and dive over the side. Sometimes they stay close but if you look over the
side they tend to scurry off and hide. The only reason I got to photograph this one is because he had caught a midge (below) and was eating
him. They don't give up their meals easily. There are lots of bugs this time of year and the large competing spiders, like the Neosona orb
weavers, have diminished. I was thrilled to see him up close! © Carol Davis 9-28-2008
Eating lunch. It didn't take him long to finish it off. Notice, these spiders have green fangs just like the Phidippus audax.
© Carol Davis 9-28-2008
This view gives a good shot of the eyes on top of the head. He looks more orange from this angle because of the sunshine
on his back. Isn't this a beautiful spider? © Carol Davis, 9-28-2008
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