Boreal Jumping Spider - Phidippus borealis

The first time we met was the beginning of May, five years ago. Until then I had no idea that the Boreal Jumping Spider, Phidippus borealis even existed. 

Sorry, handsome, I must apologize for my ignorance for you are the cutest arachnid that I have ever seen. 

I have been searching for them ever since, finding one or two once in a while.

To tell the truth; just like most humans, I too have been conditioned to fear and dislike these eight-legged animals. It was not until my late forties that I realized how amazing they can be. 
They are an important part of the environment and those who cast away their adverse feelings can discover a whole new Universe.

Don't get me wrong - I still carry a healthy dose of respect for them (and a scar on my forearm from a spider bite) for, though so small, everything about them advertises power. They are everywhere where there are insects which means - everywhere. But unless squished or otherwise attacked they will hardly ever waste their venom on a large animal - like you or I. So - put the slipper away (or worse, some kind of cancer inducing spray), and carry the spider into your yard where it can do a lot of good work to keep you happy.  Just don't sit on it.

Ok - so it was the beginning of May when we noticed a colourful spider, about 2 cm in size, wondering about our brand new brick-and-stone stairway.  

It was obviously a jumping spider - we knew that much - the squarish face, the prominent eyes and fearless attitude made it all but clear. But this one was different, it was colourful and extremely hairy and, compared to the rest of our Canadian spiders, it was large 

(Brazilians, please do not laugh too hard, we know that your spiders can as big as ... well not the dinner plate but close.... OK, make it a dessert plate then.)

Later on we found out that we just met the largest jumping spider that roams the Canadian wilderness. We also learned that it was a male. 

He was holding a dead ant and would not let go of it; even when he moved or jumped the ant was still securely in his possession. When approached too closely the spider would not run away. He would turn squarely against the danger facing the camera lens with a great attitude and I must say that it both, impressed and scared me, at the same time. And when he jumped on the lens I jumped too -away from it. Hero me! 

Kudos for the spider! 

And the ant? Still in a firm grasp of his forelegs.

Too much commotion. He scurried off, ant and all. 
Into the railing where there must exist a labyrinth of walkways. 

Humans not permitted!

It was a bit later that morning when we discovered a burrow. 

A SHE PALACE in an empty space between the bricks.

She walked out, most likely looking for him. 

Her temper was not too peaceful and it was hard to blame her for that - we just chased away her suitor.Not only that; he carried a present that was supposed to keep her in good mood during their date. 

Now all of that has disappeared and that made her very jumpy indeed.

What a present was she supposed to get! 

An ant!!! Now what?   

  

Surely she had some powerful pheromones on hand; with those he would find her soon.

None of those cheap artificial perfumes that humans use. 

Yikes

We believe that he did find her and survived the date, for every year since, (especially in May) we stumble upon their offspring.               They mind their own business unless the lens stares too closely at them. Then, provoked by the focusing beam, they face it, ready to jump.

Just a couple of days ago I met him again (or maybe a son of his son ...who knows. How long do they live anyway - he did look a bit grizzled this time.)

He was comfortably perched on the metal part patio chair. No problem with gravity at all. 

Before I disturbed him he was busy waving all those fancy white hairs perhaps tasting the air, perhaps showing off in a courtship display. In any case, he looked quite  like a miniature cheerleader and I had to wonder what kind of the inner muscle system enables him to move each hair on its own.

(A video does have its advantages although this one is of a different subspecies.). 

Either he was practicing or she was nearby - probably hiding inside a rail.

And yes, the reflection in those eyes is of a photographer who once disliked all spiders. Mind you, the look at those powerful, turquoise, poison-delivering chelicerae (the fangs) will not get me much closer any time soon.  

With the front eyes positioned in front of the box-like head (did you just call me a squarehead?) this hunter can judge the distance very well - it is a 3D image that he computes in his fairly large tangle of nerves packed inside the box.

Ooops - others call it a brain or a cerebral ganglion. 

The additional 3 pairs of simpler but quite functional eyes are placed strategically in semi-circle around the head. Such equipment should keep the spider well informed without even turning its head (which this guy can actually do pretty well).

Like all the other spiders, boreal jumping spiders can too, spin a silky web. By looking at the SHE PALACE above, theirs could not compete with those elaborate orb-spider webs. But I am sure that they serve their purpose just as well. The silk, along with little pads on their feet, also anchors the spiders safely in a place, so when the spring arrives they can peek inside a human dwelling as if to say:

Hey, it's May, the bugs are out and we are back to serve.  

Now, put that fly swatter away! And, wash those windows, will ya?