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Photo#14861
Bold Jumping Spider - Phidippus audax

Bold Jumping Spider - Phidippus audax
Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
April 8, 2005
Size: ~10 mm
I know there are plenty of shots of this species in the guide, but I had to add this one.

I was actually trying to shoot this non-descript-looking crab spider(?) in our garden, when this jumper landed right on it from above (surprising both the prey and the photographer!) What was really interesting to me was how it moved about with the prey in it's jaws. I instantly thought of the footage I've seen of jaguars and leopards carrying antelope around in search of a quiet place to eat. Shortly afterwards, a large black field ant ran up and nipped at the prey only to have it yanked away by the much larger jumper. It really is a backyard safari:)

Great photo
I'm always surprised to see one spider eating another.

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