Red-backed Jumping Spider

Phidippus johnsoni

Phidippus johnsoni - I love them. They have such great faces and beautiful colors! It seems like they look right at you with all those eyes.

​In 2012, NASA sent a female Red-backed Jumping Spider into space. Her name was Nefertiti. As a  "spidernaut" at the International Space Station, she adjusted well to her mission. She returned safely to earth and lived for a total of 10 months.

Normally these spiders have a fairly bright red abdomen. This one, who my friend discovered living in my front porch today, was a little thin and somewhat paler than usual. His abdomen matches the color of the terra cotta saucer he's climbing on. He was animated and, I believe, quite happy to be released outdoors where he would be able to find a much needed meal with ease.

The first time I met one of these spiders was after I threw back the bed sheets to see what had bitten me on the ankle during the night. Aha! There it was - a large black and red male who I recognized immediately as a jumping spider! After capturing him in a little fish net, I put him in a jar for closer observation. It was too much work catching flies to satisfy his voracious appetite; so, after a couple of weeks I released him into my neighbor's garden. (She thanked me.)