My Male Phidippus Audax when I purchased him 11/19/22. He was put in a hot sauce container with a cricket much bigger than him. I know jumping spiders can take down prey bigger than them but he wasn't into it. Instead of eating him he would kick/strike it then groom himself while sitting on it.
I'm not a fan of feeding crickets to jumpers. It's always a nightmare some way or another. They tend to hide in the weirdest of places and then you need to dig them out, which stresses both you and the spider. Worst thing is that they're not just dangerous to jumpers during molting, but also at night, because jumpers are pretty much defenceless when they can't see.
I'm not a fan of feeding crickets to jumpers. It's always a nightmare some way or another. They tend to hide in the weirdest of places and then you need to dig them out, which stresses both you and the spider. Worst thing is that they're not just dangerous to jumpers during molting, but also at night, because jumpers are pretty much defenceless when they can't see.
I'm not a fan of feeding crickets to jumpers. It's always a nightmare some way or another. They tend to hide in the weirdest of places and then you need to dig them out, which stresses both you and the spider. Worst thing is that they're not just dangerous to jumpers during molting, but also at night, because jumpers are pretty much defenceless when they can't see.
That's good to know and explains why he hated crickets so much. Because I first assumed he hated that big one because of its size. That maybe if he got a small one he'd see it as food and not a threat. However during his food strike he hated every single one I tried to give. Roaches and mealworms he'd just back off but crickets he'd strike.
Your mini rant answered some of his behaviors so I don't mind, thank you!
Sorry, I hope it didn't come across like I was ranting at you. Unfortunately whenever I see jumpers being sold in petstores around here, they're usually in small tubs with multiple crickets and it always makes me sad, because they have nowhere to go if the crickets decide to attack them. I hate crickets so much. I don't even like feeding them to my Ts. They're also the most likely feeder insect to find a hole to escape the enclosures and they can drive you mad with their chirping if they get lost in your house.
I find that Phidippus have a very wide range of personalities and some of them are really picky eaters. They really are like cats in that regard. Some people's jumpers will take down everything that moves and others are full of nonsense. My oldest one is a Phidippus Regius (not as brave as the Audax are supposed to be) and he exclusive eats flying insects. He will not touch crickets, grasshoppers or mealworms. And he's a scaredy cat. Anything his size or bigger sends him running like he's being chased by the devil himself.
Sorry, I hope it didn't come across like I was ranting at you. Unfortunately whenever I see jumpers being sold in petstores around here, they're usually in small tubs with multiple crickets and it always makes me sad, because they have nowhere to go if the crickets decide to attack them. I hate crickets so much. I don't even like feeding them to my Ts. They're also the most likely feeder insect to find a hole to escape the enclosures and they can drive you mad with their chirping if they get lost in your house.
I find that Phidippus have a very wide range of personalities and some of them are really picky eaters. They really are like cats in that regard. Some people's jumpers will take down everything that moves and others are full of nonsense. My oldest one is a Phidippus Regius (not as brave as the Audax are supposed to be) and he exclusive eats flying insects. He will not touch crickets, grasshoppers or mealworms. And he's a scaredy cat. Anything his size or bigger sends him running like he's being chased by the devil himself.
You're good I don't know why that "I wasn't" got posted but I took no offense at all I'm genuinely happy to have an explanation. I've noticed that there's a wide spectrum of personalities with jumpers. Mine happens to be the lazy kind that hates crickets. He sometimes runs away much like yours from large insects everytime I feel like I'm going to go to hell for laughing.
I'm not a fan of feeding crickets to jumpers. It's always a nightmare some way or another. They tend to hide in the weirdest of places and then you need to dig them out, which stresses both you and the spider. Worst thing is that they're not just dangerous to jumpers during molting, but also at night, because jumpers are pretty much defenceless when they can't see.
My experience (I once caught a MF P. audax when I lived in their native range, kept her for over 8 month, bred her, and released the slings) is that crickets aren't much of a hazard to jumpers. Even if I gave more than one to her at once she'd usually have hunted down and eaten both before the end of the day.
My experience (I once caught a MF P. audax when I lived in their native range, kept her for over 8 month, bred her, and released the slings) is that crickets aren't much of a hazard to jumpers. Even if I gave more than one to her at once she'd usually have hunted down and eaten both before the end of the day.
The problem is when they don't hunt them. I've been part of a jumping spider community on Facebook for a while and unfortunately it happens every so often that someone's jumper is injured or killed by feeder insects, but especially crickets. All in all, the chances are still low, but negligible.
Hello there, why not take a few seconds to register on our forums and become part of the community? Just click here.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
