Their common name refers to their vivid black-and-white colouration,[1] whilst their scientific name derives from Salticus from the Latin for “jump”, and the Greek scenicus, translating to “theatrical” or “of a decorative place,” in reference to the flashy, zebra-like coloration of the species.

This species is naturally associated with open habitats such as rock faces, shingle beaches and occasionally the trunks of trees.

They have also been observed taking on prey items up to 3 times the length of the spider, such as some of the smaller species of moth.

They move slowly towards their prey until they are close enough to pounce on top of their victim, and their hunting behaviour has been described as cat-like.

The velocity of the prey is not involved in the determination of reactive distance, but only moving objects elicit orientation.

The most significant evidence that this extension is due to hydraulic forces is that the leg spines become erect during the jump, a result of increased body pressure which can be demonstrated on many spiders.

The zebra spider's jump is almost entirely due to the sudden straightening of the fourth pair of legs.

[10] Male spiders use a pair of leg-like appendages called pedipalps to transfer sperm to the female during the mating process.