Summary
Jumping spiders are tiny (4–18 mm), compact, with two enormous forward eyes. Wolf spiders are far larger, longer-legged, and have three rows of eyes.
Diagnostic traits
| Trait | Bold Jumping Spider | Wolf Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Body length | 4–18 mm | 10–35 mm |
| Build | Compact, short legs | Long-legged, robust |
| Behavior | Stalks and pounces in daylight | Sprints at night |
| Eye rows | 3 rows; front pair huge | 3 rows (2-4-2); second pair huge |
The bottom line
At-a-glance comparison
| Bold Jumping Spider | Wolf Spider | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific | Phidippus audax | Lycosidae (family overview) |
| Family | Salticidae | Lycosidae |
| ♀ body | 8–15 mm | 10–35 mm |
| Leg span | 12–22 mm | 25–80 mm |
| Range | 1 U.S. states | 1 U.S. states |
| Medical | Low | Low |