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Photo#457327
Tiny Spider - Salticus scenicus

Tiny Spider - Salticus scenicus
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
September 21, 2010
Size: 1/4 inch sans legs
This miniscule critter has showed up on my balcony glass door in the past - when I saw it again today it occurred to me that a photo op was waiting. Difficult to get a decent shot as it wouldn't stop moving. Had to sharpen the image somewhat and hope that hasn't spoiled it for an ID.

Moved
Moved from Jumping Spiders.

Moved
Moved from ID Request. Moving here temporarily for expert attention.

Might be -
Salticus scenicus (Zebra jumping spider), although I'm not completely sure...

 
Jumping Spider
Thanks a Lot Ken ... As mentioned to another responder, Breanna, I'm surprised by the ID you've both provided, but also very appreciative.

I've been shooting insects with a 100mm macro lens which is usually OK for larger subjects. I've now purchased a set of 12, 20 & 36mm Extension Tubes and will experiment on my resident Spider over the next week or month or as long as it takes to get a more clear and well-detailed image. I have far more powerful lenses, but they require considerable distance away from the subject.

 
Great -
I'm glad you've got some good gear - this is already a very nice image and might be good enough for a species ID by an expert. I'm actually fairly sure my guess is on target, but it would be nice to have it confirmed by one of our jumping spider enthusiasts. I would suggest moving this image to the family level (Salticidae - check out the Help tab above if you're not sure how to move images) and see if an expert comments there... Please keep submitting more nice images like this one! :)

It's a little
Jumping spider, family Salticidae. I'm not sure beyond that, though.

 
Jumping Spider
Breanna ... Many thanks for your response. The idea that it could be a Jumping Spider didn't occur to me despite the fact that I recently requested an ID for a different but also very tiny spider that I discovered in a park garden and that one also came back as a Jumping Spider. So I have one question in case you know: Is 'smallness' a main hallmark of Jumping Spiders? And, by the way, Good Luck at 'Ole Miss.

 
You're welcome!
Jumping spiders are usually kinda on the small side. I guess that helps them jump or something. I've seen some relatively big ones, but never over 3/8ths of an inch... They may get bigger, though.

Oh, I'm at Mississippi State University, not Ole Miss. ^_^ My best friend is going there, though...

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