In the wild, the canopy jumping spider (Phidippus otiosus) is a bold, tree-dwelling predator found across the southeastern United States, especially in oak and pine forests. It hunts during the day using exceptional vision and powerful leaps to ambush flies, moths, and other small arthropods, relying on stealth rather than webs. Though it doesn’t spin webs for prey capture, it constructs silken retreats under bark or in leaf litter for resting, molting, and egg-laying. Males roam widely in spring and summer, performing elaborate dances to court females, who guard their egg sacs until spiderlings emerge. Juveniles often disperse by ballooning—riding air currents on silk threads to colonize new areas. Their colouration is striking: males are typically dark with iridescent green chelicerae and bold white markings, while females are larger and more variable, often showing mottled patterns of tan, cream, and brown that blend beautifully with tree bark