Which spider family is commonly known as jumping spiders?

Which spider family is commonly known as jumping spiders? Salticidae. Jumping spiders are members of the family Salticidae, one of the largest and most visually distinctive spider families. They are usually active hunters rather than web-dependent trappers, stalking prey with exceptionally keen vision before making a controlled leap.

Their name describes their movement, but the jump is only part of the identification. Salticids typically have eight eyes, including a very large forward-facing central pair that helps them judge distance and recognize prey, mates, and threats. They also attach a silk dragline before leaping, which helps stabilize the jump and provides a safety route if they miss.

Salticidae includes thousands of described species in hundreds of genera, living in habitats ranging from tropical forests and deserts to temperate regions and high mountains. Their behavior is unusually varied: some specialize in ants, some raid other spiders' webs, and a few obtain substantial nutrition from plant nectar or ant-plant structures.

A common mix-up is confusing jumping spiders with wolf spiders or lynx spiders. Those groups may also hunt actively, but the characteristic large front eyes and compact, agile body are especially associated with Salticidae.