Wildlife
The Himalayan jumping spider is a tiny spider that lives high up in the Himalayas, and has been found at altitudes as high as 6700 metres above sea level. Its only source of food at these extreme heights is stray insects that are blown up the mountainside by the wind.
Scientific name: Euophrys omnisuperstes
Rank: Species
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Jumping spider
Ultra-high speed footage reveals the spiders' hydraulic-powered technique.
'Jumping spiders are incredible creatures. Not only can they move their main eyes from the inside, keeping the 'eyeball' still, but they use hydraulic power to jump. This is just one of the many examples where nature uses techniques long before we humans have thought of it.' (George McGavin)
The following habitats are found across the Himalayan jumping spider distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Euophrys omnisuperstes (the species name means standing above everything) is a small jumping spider that lives at elevations of up to 6,700 meters on Mount Everest, making it possibly the highest known permanent resident on earth. They are known to lurk in crevices among rocky debris. They feed on tiny, stray insects that consume plant materials, blown up the mountainside from lower altitudes.
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Ambush predator
Carnivorous
Altitude tolerant
Adapted to jumping
Moulting
Predator
Cold tolerant
Venomous
Visual communication