Did you know ?
Phidippus, these adorable little spiders, are true prodigies in the art of jumping. They can jump up to six times their own length, a feat that would leave even the most agile gymnast speechless!
But how do these tiny creatures manage to achieve such feats?
Well, it's a fascinating mix of biology and physics.
Unlike us humans who use mainly our muscles for jumping, phidippus have a slightly more... hydraulic approach. They increase the pressure in their legs, a bit like inflating a mini basketball inside their paws. This hydraulic system, combined with super powerful muscles, allows them to propel themselves through the air with astonishing speed and precision.
It's like you have high-performance springs in your shoes, allowing you to leap forward effortlessly. Imagine for a moment being able to jump over a car parked on the street – that's pretty much the equivalent of what these phidippus do every day!
Now think about these incredible jumps in your own environment. Every corner of your home could become a show stage for these eight-legged athletes. A jump from the table to the sofa? A quick hop from the shelf to the window? For a phidippus, it's child's play, or should I say, spider's play!
In summary, phidippus are not only cute, they are also outstanding athletes, capable of feats that defy the laws of physics as we know them. And all this, without even an Olympic medal to boot! 
Curious to know how they produce their canvas?
Come and find out in episode 7 - a perfect canvas!
Back to episode 6 - The chelicerae
Come and find out in episode 7 - a perfect canvas!
Back to episode 6 - The chelicerae