ARACHNIDA > ARANEAE > Salticidae (continued)

The Salticus genus includes three species, which are collectively known as 'zebra spiders' although, confusingly, only one species, Salticus scenicus, is actually called the Zebra Spider.  All three species are described as having a black and white appearance with large patches on the abdomen that often join up looking more like stripes, hence the common name. One species is even called Salticus zebraneus. It is the rarest of the three and is mostly confined to the south-east.

Salticus scenicus is abundant and widespread, and by far the most frequently recorded. It is often found in gardens on vegetation, fences and sunny walls around houses.

Salticus cingulatus has scattered distribution and, although it may be regularly encountered in some areas, it is far less common than Salticus scenicus. It occurs away from human habitation in natural habitats including woodlands, heathland and wetlands where it is typically found on old tree trunks and fenceposts, which was the case with both of the individuals featured here - the first on a timber gate post into the nature reserve and the second on a boardwalk fence.

Whereas Salticus scenicus has abdominal patterning that may look banded, Salticus cingulatus has larger, more oblique, markings looking more like dark patches on a paler background. The males have enlarged projecting chelicerae as can be seen in the first photo taken at Sovell Down.

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Updated, Jan.25 (v.4)