THE MOST FREQUENTLY encountered spiders are perhaps the jumping spiders (Family Salticidae). They are quite widespread and, in the tropics, several species may be seen crawling on the walls of houses, going after the housefly or other insect prey. They hunt actively for food,

and as their name indicates, they are adept jumpers. They pounce on their prey or leap away from danger, often with a safety line or drag line trailing behind them. Some species have resorted to mimicry either for protection or to secure a living, such as the amazing Kerengga Ant-like Jumper (Myrmarachne plataleoides) shown on Page 2.