3.5 gallon for a jumping spider?

[bloodfeatherdino]

Hiya! My first post here

So, me and my friend recently rescued a slightly injured regal jumping spider. Not our first time with arthropods in general (I want to be an entomologist), but our first time keeping one of these.
He's not too injured- but one of his back legs is broken (was being dragged around). After observing him, we noticed that he can't jump or stick to surfaces very well. So we're deciding to care for him

His name is Lucas!
Currently he's in a probably 1 gallon, maybe less, critter keeper with some sphagnum moss and dry IAL. I told my friend of how these spiders are aboreal, and therefore he'd need a taller enclosure soon.

I just remembered that I have an extra 3.5 gallon, as I'm a fishkeeper also! It's a tall one, a half cylinder shape, so it's bowed outward. If I did use it I'd modify the top with mesh to block the holes but keep airflow.

Is this tank too big for him? I would add some fluorite/pebbles on the bottom (I read they don't need much actual substrate), a thin layer of sphagnum, and lots of sticks and bark to create layers. Might add some live plants from the local shop if budget permits.

Would this be suitable for him? He can't climb very much or very well because of his legs, so I would be trying to make some even layers rather than straight up sticks n such. If it's too big I understand!

Also just looking for general care advice ^^ totally open!

 

[djberthel]

I found that my regals were more active in a taller enclosure that had less width. Also, misting and maintaining humidity was highly important, but be careful to not overdo it (your moss layering is fine as it should help contain the necessary moisture). My enclosure was properly ventiliated and near a window so that some fresh air and sunlight could hit one corner of the enclosure (not directly). I used fake foliage for cool hiding spots that were attached to a twig and a larger piece of cork bark.

 

[Jonathan6303]

https://www.amazon.com/NANEEZOO-Enclosure-Transparent-Terrarium-Invertebrates/dp/B08RCM3BGH/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=3YTO9L6UVO8Y&keywords=tarantula+enclosure&qid=1652755759&sprefix=taran%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-8

This will work or something of a similar nature.
I’ve used 32oz deli cups and they worked fine but I would recommend something a bit bigger since these are very active animals.
I have found the care to be relatively simple for these creatures. Some decoration and a water dish.
it doesn’t really need to be that fancy just some cork bark and some fake plants seems to work well.
I would disagree with regular misting. I’ve found that a water dish and moist sub provides all the humidity it needs. I find that regular misting can cause a spider stress. Although I only kept jumpers for a little while so I would say play around and try and see what the spider is most comfortable with.

 

[Nicole C G]

https://www.amazon.com/NANEEZOO-Enclosure-Transparent-Terrarium-Invertebrates/dp/B08RCM3BGH/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=3YTO9L6UVO8Y&keywords=tarantula+enclosure&qid=1652755759&sprefix=taran%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-8

This will work or something of a similar nature.
I’ve used 32oz deli cups and they worked fine but I would recommend something a bit bigger since these are very active animals.
I have found the care to be relatively simple for these creatures. Some decoration and a water dish.
it doesn’t really need to be that fancy just some cork bark and some fake plants seems to work well.
I would disagree with regular misting. I’ve found that a water dish and moist sub provides all the humidity it needs. I find that regular misting can cause a spider stress. Although I only kept jumpers for a little while so I would say play around and try and see what the spider is most comfortable with.

Have you ever seen the jumping spider drink from the water dish?

 

[bloodfeatherdino]

I found that my regals were more active in a taller enclosure that had less width. Also, misting and maintaining humidity was highly important, but be careful to not overdo it (your moss layering is fine as it should help contain the necessary moisture). My enclosure was properly ventiliated and near a window so that some fresh air and sunlight could hit one corner of the enclosure (not directly). I used fake foliage for cool hiding spots that were attached to a twig and a larger piece of cork bark.

Alright!! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. On the topic of the bigger enclosure, what are your thoughts on the 3.5? I'm getting the feeling it might be too big.

Thank you for the care advice!

https://www.amazon.com/NANEEZOO-Enclosure-Transparent-Terrarium-Invertebrates/dp/B08RCM3BGH/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=3YTO9L6UVO8Y&keywords=tarantula+enclosure&qid=1652755759&sprefix=taran%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-8

This will work or something of a similar nature.
I’ve used 32oz deli cups and they worked fine but I would recommend something a bit bigger since these are very active animals.
I have found the care to be relatively simple for these creatures. Some decoration and a water dish.
it doesn’t really need to be that fancy just some cork bark and some fake plants seems to work well.
I would disagree with regular misting. I’ve found that a water dish and moist sub provides all the humidity it needs. I find that regular misting can cause a spider stress. Although I only kept jumpers for a little while so I would say play around and try and see what the spider is most comfortable with.

Thank you for your response! I get what you mean about the deli cups but I'd rather something a little cleaner/more professional. Since you said you err on the side of bigger, what are your thoughts on the 3.5? I feel like it might be too big. I'm trying to get a scope for things.

I might not mist it, but instead just manually flick some water from my fingers to the moss and the like. I'll manage it!


For both of you; while I agree that a taller tank is better for regals, I'm wondering about the specific circumstances with this one. Since he can't jump, or climb very well, I'm wondering if height is the best idea ? I don't want him to get more injured, or end up avoiding the space and feeling stressed.

I want to make sure I do the best I can for him!

 

[Jonathan6303]

Have you ever seen the jumping spider drink from the water dish?

No. Then again nor did I check on my jumper often, only about 5-10 min a day. I did notice the water amount decrease so I assume it drank.

 

[Jonathan6303]

Alright!! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. On the topic of the bigger enclosure, what are your thoughts on the 3.5? I'm getting the feeling it might be too big.

Thank you for the care advice!


Thank you for your response! I get what you mean about the deli cups but I'd rather something a little cleaner/more professional. Since you said you err on the side of bigger, what are your thoughts on the 3.5? I feel like it might be too big. I'm trying to get a scope for things.

I might not mist it, but instead just manually flick some water from my fingers to the moss and the like. I'll manage it!


For both of you; while I agree that a taller tank is better for regals, I'm wondering about the specific circumstances with this one. Since he can't jump, or climb very well, I'm wondering if height is the best idea ? I don't want him to get more injured, or end up avoiding the space and feeling stressed.

I want to make sure I do the best I can for him!

Can you post a pic of the enclosure. As long as you can provide proper ventilation that doesn’t allow the spider to escape and that it fits an arboreal lifestyle then I think it will be fine. It might however be more difficult to spot your spider since it’s larger area to search for. although it also gives the chance to interact with a larger environment especially if you decorate it well.

Misting in it of its self is not bad and in fact it can provide a means for water but if you put it in perspective that means you daily have to open the enclosure to provide water just in case the spider is thirsty. A water dish(I use tattoo ink caps) however can maintain and hold water for a longer period of time and therefore you won’t have to daily give the option of water. Again I am not the most experienced with jumpers I only kept a few.

 

[Buggylookslikeyou]

Have you ever seen the jumping spider drink from the water dish?

Do not leave a water dish in the enclosure they will drown wet cotton ball rinse it out and missed enclosure daily

 

[Jonathan6303]

Do not leave a water dish in the enclosure they will drown wet cotton ball rinse it out and missed enclosure daily

I never had a spider drown with a water dish

 

[Buggylookslikeyou]

I never had a spider drown with a water dish

Jumping spider ? Tarantula that’s different or any other big breed but check the forum and check the Facebook group I’m not saying it’ll happen by why take the risk when a simple misting and a damp cotton ball will do nicely trust me

 

[Buggylookslikeyou]

Alright!! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. On the topic of the bigger enclosure, what are your thoughts on the 3.5? I'm getting the feeling it might be too big.

Thank you for the care advice!


Thank you for your response! I get what you mean about the deli cups but I'd rather something a little cleaner/more professional. Since you said you err on the side of bigger, what are your thoughts on the 3.5? I feel like it might be too big. I'm trying to get a scope for things.

I might not mist it, but instead just manually flick some water from my fingers to the moss and the like. I'll manage it!


For both of you; while I agree that a taller tank is better for regals, I'm wondering about the specific circumstances with this one. Since he can't jump, or climb very well, I'm wondering if height is the best idea ? I don't want him to get more injured, or end up avoiding the space and feeling stressed.

I want to make sure I do the best I can for him!

Perfect size it’s like a 28.2 ounce or maybe a little bit bigger than that they have the 4 x 4 x 4 enclosures by Zila those are perfect to just watch there’s like a defect space if you do get that one let me know I’ll show you how to fix it

 

[Jonathan6303]

Jumping spider ? Tarantula that’s different or any other big breed but check the forum and check the Facebook group I’m not saying it’ll happen by why take the risk when a simple misting and a damp cotton ball will do nicely trust me

Cotton balls can mold. A water dish is a lot less maintenance.
I’ve kept jumpers as small as S. scenicus and as large as phidippus audax never had a issue.

 

[Buggylookslikeyou]

Cotton balls can mold. A water dish is a lot less maintenance.
I’ve kept jumpers as small as S. scenicus and as large as phidippus audax never had a issue.

Not if you change em daily I get it not flexin better safe then sorry you been lucky but luck always runs out .a water dish is unnecessary if you’re misting daily but to each their own at least your ventilating you know how many people post help I killed all my spoods what’s wrong and they are in deli cups no holes smh.

 

[djberthel]

I agree that cotton balls or sponges can mold pretty easily. Allow me to reiterate, I encourage misting only if it is not in direct contact with the spider. Most of the jumpers will drink en route from climbing and not always from a water dish (although a water dish is definitely a viable option as long as the enclosure isn't too large and the spider can easily locate the water dish). Occasionally I encounter jumpers that prefer to linger around one area of the enclosure, and thus is why I chose to spot predict the water droplets with the misting tool in order to have them get their drink more easily.

I must maintain that a taller, yet less voluminous enclosure is a more viable option. The 3.5 seems to be a bit unecessary in terms of total volume.

Hope this helps and best of luck with your little friend.