Abundant of Jumping Spider species in my backyard

[Jcortese2786]

It’s amazing what I have been able to find. At least 6-7 different species of jumpers. Most common is the Tan Jumper. They hang out on the fence and between fence boards. I have also identified red backed, Zebra, Sassacus Vitus, phidippus Audax, and Habronattus Signatus. Recently, I’ve been seeing numerous Red Backed spiderlings all over the place so they must left the nest recently.

I also found a Phidippus Audax who made a nest under a rock. I was able to see him/her until one day, the entrance and exit holes with closed off. I can’t even see inside anymore. Couldn’t tell if there is any movement at all? Do jumpers ditch their nest like that or is there molting going on or if it’s a female, is she in there protecting her little ones? Been closed off for about 3-4 weeks now…

Very new to jumpers… find them fascinating. I wouldn’t mind acquiring one and raising. Whether that be buying online or catching a wild one from the backyard.

Any feedback would be welcomed on anything from this post. Thanks and happy to be part of this group!

 

[SpookySpooder]

Very nice. I'm jealous, it's hard to find more than a couple different types of jumpers in the city. You've got 4 of the popular species in your backyard!

Any of those species would make interesting little pets. Jumpers make silk cocoons that they sleep in, some return to them and some abandon them to make new ones. Molts don't take 3-4 weeks so I'd lurk around the silk hammock you said was closed off for weeks, chances are there is a brood developing in there and they will emerge eventually. You can expect anywhere between 20-100 baby jumpers to eventually emerge if this is the case. Then you can just collect whatever stragglers are still around and raise them.

Alternatively, you could catch one of the bold or red back jumpers, they're very well documented in the hobby so there's plenty of resources on them. If you do catch one, try not to keep a mature male, they don't last very long and they should be left outside to perform their reproductive duties.