Fauna
Arachnid

Phidippus adumbratus

Phidippus adumbratus

These agile jumping spiders patrol sunlit foliage across California chaparral and scrub habitats, stalking their prey with acute vision before pouncing from several body lengths away. Males feature vivid reddish-orange dorsal abdominal patches accented by dark markings, whereas females exhibit more cryptic mottled brown and grey tones. Before every leap, they secure a silk dragline to their perch to arrest accidental falls.

DiurnalAgileCarnivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlies, Small moths, Leafhoppers
Predators
  • Spider wasps
  • Western fence lizard
  • Insectivorous birds
ThreatsHabitat loss from urban expansion and broad-spectrum pesticide use
HabitatsChaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, and arid scrub
Life span1–2 years
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilySalticidae
  3. GenusPhidippus
  4. SpeciesPhidippus adumbratus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Safe to observe at a normal distance; bites are rare and harmless.
Responsible observation
  • Approach slowly: Move your hand or camera gradually to avoid triggering their rapid escape jump.
  • Look on sunny foliage: Check the upper leaves of chaparral shrubs during warm midday hours.
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