Jumping spiders are quickly becoming some of the most popular pet arachnids around. Their intelligence, striking colors, and fascinating behaviors make them fun and engaging to observe. These spiders also have a unique hunting style, relying on excellent eyesight to stalk and pounce on their prey.
For the right owner, jumping spiders can make great pets. They’re relatively easy to care for compared to other exotic animals, and their small size makes them well-suited for apartment living. However, like any pet, it’s important to do your research and be prepared to commit to providing proper care before bringing one home. Jumping spider care can be easy if you do your research!
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know to keep a jumping spider happy and healthy. We’ll cover topics such as choosing the right species, setting up their habitat, feeding, handling, health concerns, and lifespan expectations. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced keeper, this guide aims to be a valuable resource for all things jumping spider.
Understanding Jumping Spiders
Before you bring one of these fascinating creatures home, it helps to know a little bit about them.
What are Jumping Spiders?
Jumping spiders are members of the Salticidae family, which is one of the biggest spider families out there. You can usually recognize them by their huge front eyes, which give them binocular vision that’s unusually sharp for spiders.
They tend to have compact bodies and powerful legs, which they use to jump, as their name suggests.
Natural Habitat and Behavior
You can find jumping spiders all over the world, from rainforests to deserts. They’re diurnal, meaning they’re usually active during the day, and they tend to be active hunters.
Although they do make silk, they don’t usually spin webs to catch prey. Instead, they use their silk to create safety lines in case they fall, to build shelters (which some people call “hammocks”), and to create protective egg sacs for their young.
Jumping Spider Vision
One of the things that makes jumping spiders so interesting is their vision. They have some of the best vision in the arthropod world, and they can see colors and details that most other spiders can’t see.
They use their sharp vision to hunt and to find their way around.
Choosing the Right Jumping Spider Species
If you’re just getting into the world of jumping spider care, a couple of species stand out as good choices.
Popular Species for Beginners
Phidippus audax (Bold Jumping Spider)
Bold jumping spiders are known for their distinctive markings and relatively large size. These spiders also tend to be docile and are easy to care for.
- Female: 8-19mm
- Male: 6-13mm
Phidippus regius (Regal Jumping Spider)
Regal jumping spiders offer vibrant colors and are larger than many other species of jumping spider.
- Female: 7-22mm
- Male: 6-18mm
Considerations for Species Selection
Size and Lifespan
Keep in mind that jumping spiders live relatively short lives, usually only about a year or two in captivity. Choose a species whose size you’ll be comfortable with.
Temperament and Activity Level
Some species are more skittish or active than others. Do some research into the specific needs of each species before you commit.
Setting Up the Perfect Enclosure
Jumping spiders are active hunters who like a stimulating environment. Here’s how to set up an enclosure that’ll keep your little friend happy and healthy.
Enclosure Size and Type
Jumping spiders need a home that’s taller than it is wide, with enough space for them to climb and spin their webs. The enclosure should be a minimum of three times the spider’s body length in height and two times the spider’s body length in width and depth. If you’re getting a larger species of jumping spider, plan to use a larger enclosure from the start.
Glass or acrylic enclosures are your best bet. They’ll give you a good view of your spider, and they allow for good ventilation. Be sure the enclosure has a secure lid, as jumping spiders are notorious escape artists.
Substrate and Decor
Coco fiber and peat moss are both good choices for the substrate. These materials help maintain the right level of humidity. Stay away from substrates that have harmful chemicals or pesticides in them.
Your jumping spider will also appreciate having branches, cork bark, and fake plants in its enclosure. They’ll climb on these items and hide behind them. A variety of textures and levels will keep your spider engaged and happy.
Add a small water dish to the enclosure, or mist it regularly to keep the humidity up.
Environmental Control
Most jumping spider species like a temperature range of 70-80°F. Use a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature inside the enclosure. To measure the level of moisture, use a hygrometer, and adjust the humidity as needed.
Jumping spiders also need a regular day/night cycle, so provide ambient light or use a low-wattage LED lamp. Just don’t put the enclosure in direct sunlight or it could get too hot. To maintain the right photoperiod, you might want to use a timer to turn the lights on and off at the same time each day.
Feeding Your Jumping Spider
One of the most enjoyable parts of keeping a jumping spider is watching them hunt and eat. Here’s how to keep your little hunter fed and healthy.
Prey Selection
Appropriate Prey Size
Offer prey that’s no bigger than the spider’s abdomen. Crickets, fruit flies, mealworms, and small roaches are good choices.
Nutritional Value
Before feeding your spider, “gut-load” the prey with nutritious food. You can also vary the diet to give your spider a range of nutrients.
Feeding Frequency and Methods
How Often to Feed
Feed juveniles once or twice a day, and adults two or three times per week. Adjust how often you feed your spider based on its size and how active it is.
Feeding Techniques
Use tweezers to offer food to your spider, or just drop the prey into the enclosure. Remove any uneaten prey after a few hours, because a live insect running around can stress your spider.
Hydration
Providing Water
Jumping spiders usually get moisture from their prey, but you can mist the enclosure regularly or put a small water dish with a sponge or cotton ball inside to keep your spider from drowning.
It’s important to keep the humidity at the right level for your particular species of jumping spider.
Avoid Overfeeding
Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health problems, so don’t give your spider more food than it needs.
Can you handle jumping spiders?
Jumping spiders can be fascinating to watch. But can you handle them? Here are a few things to consider.
Approaching your spider
When you handle a jumping spider, you’ll want to be very gentle and avoid sudden movements. Instead of grabbing the spider, let it walk onto your hand.
As you’re handling the spider, watch its body language. If it flattens its posture or starts moving rapidly, those may be signs that it’s stressed or afraid. If the spider seems uncomfortable, it’s best not to handle it at that time.
Building trust
You can create positive associations with handling by offering treats or rewards during handling sessions. At first, it’s best to keep handling sessions short and infrequent, and then gradually increase the amount of time as the spider becomes more comfortable.
Keep in mind that jumping spiders may bite if they feel threatened, although their bites aren’t generally dangerous to people. Avoid forcing interaction and respect the spider’s boundaries.
Molting and growth
Like other arthropods, jumping spiders have a hard exoskeleton that they shed as they grow. This process of shedding the outer shell is called molting, and your jumping spider will do it several times during its life.
Understanding the molting process
If you’re new to spider care, you may not know how to tell when your spider is getting ready to molt. Common signs of premolt include:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Darkening of the exoskeleton
Molting spiders go through different instars, or developmental stages, as they grow.
Caring for a molting spider
It’s important to give your spider a safe and quiet environment when it’s molting. Try not to disturb it during the process, and make sure the humidity in the enclosure is at the proper level so it can shed its exoskeleton easily.
Sometimes, spiders can have problems during molting, especially if the humidity is too low or if they’ve been injured. This is called a mismolt.
If your spider is mismolting, only step in to help if it’s clearly struggling and can’t complete the molt on its own. You can very gently try to help it, but be aware that a mismolt can sometimes lead to a failure to thrive.
Health and common illnesses
Jumping spiders are generally hardy, but they can get sick or injured.
Recognizing signs of illness
If your jumping spider seems lethargic, has lost its appetite, is having trouble moving, or is behaving strangely, it may be ill.
If you think your spider is sick or injured, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian who’s experienced in invertebrate care.
Common health problems
These are some of the more common health issues seen in pet jumping spiders:
- Dehydration. Make sure your spider has the right humidity levels in its enclosure and that it has access to water.
- Injury. Jumping spiders are delicate. Handle them gently to avoid injuries such as losing a leg.
- Parasites. Mites and other parasites can sometimes infest jumping spiders. If you suspect parasites, quarantine the affected spider and treat it with the medication your vet recommends.
- Heatstroke.
- Egg binding.
- Drowning.
The spider ICU
If your spider is critically ill or injured, you can create a “spider ICU” by placing the spider in a small, clean container with proper humidity and temperature levels. This can help stabilize the spider until you can get it to a vet.
Caring for Elderly Jumping Spiders
Like all living things, jumping spiders age. Here’s how to tell if your spider is getting up there in years and how to make them comfortable.
Recognizing Signs of Aging
- Decreased activity levels
- Reduced appetite
- Difficulty moving
Adjusting Care
- Make sure food and water are easy to reach.
- Keep the temperature and humidity just right.
- Try not to handle your spider unless you absolutely have to.
Providing Comfort
Give your jumping spider a quiet, safe space to live out its days and be sure to accommodate any mobility issues.
In Summary
Caring for a jumping spider is relatively straightforward. You’ll need a suitable enclosure with hiding places, climbing opportunities, and proper ventilation. Feed them appropriately sized insects a few times a week, and mist the enclosure regularly to maintain humidity. While handling should be kept to a minimum, jumping spiders can be observed and enjoyed up close.
Keeping jumping spiders as pets is a unique and rewarding experience. Their intelligence, vibrant colors, and captivating hunting behaviors make them fascinating creatures to observe. These tiny arachnids are more than just pets; they’re little personalities with surprisingly engaging behaviors.
If you’re considering bringing a jumping spider into your home, I encourage you to continue learning about these amazing creatures. Connect with other keepers, share your experiences, and enjoy the wonderful world of jumping spider care!