First Invert- Phiddipus Regius, need some advice on care.

[Pekoko]

Hi all, first post on the forums.

I've had my little girl(?) [Her name is Juniper] for a few weeks now, and whilst at first she was very shy, soon she started eating anything I gave her-
Including a black cricket nearly twice her size.Which took about three hours for her to be done with!

After, she seemed quite out of it and I chalked it up to a food coma, as no doubt everyone reading this has experienced!

However, soon after she made a VERY thick web tent on a leaf, and sort of hasn't come out for a week? She only really comes out for water or sticks her head out to bask in the heat lamp I'm using. She seems a bit more skittish since, too. Has not eaten anything since!

She's definitely not fully an adult yet, and I got her from a breeder so she can't be pregnant, atleast I hope not.

Pics attached are the lovely in question, first day I got her, about a week ago, before she ate, and today; the furthest out she comes. I work most days so perhaps the light needs to be on more?

 

[Nicole C G]

Hi all, first post on the forums.

I've had my little girl(?) [Her name is Juniper] for a few weeks now, and whilst at first she was very shy, soon she started eating anything I gave her-
Including a black cricket nearly twice her size.Which took about three hours for her to be done with!

After, she seemed quite out of it and I chalked it up to a food coma, as no doubt everyone reading this has experienced!

However, soon after she made a VERY thick web tent on a leaf, and sort of hasn't come out for a week? She only really comes out for water or sticks her head out to bask in the heat lamp I'm using. She seems a bit more skittish since, too. Has not eaten anything since!

She's definitely not fully an adult yet, and I got her from a breeder so she can't be pregnant, atleast I hope not.

Pics attached are the lovely in question, first day I got her, about a week ago, before she ate, and today; the furthest out she comes. I work most days so perhaps the light needs to be on more?

I think it’s in premolt. It’s a very important time where they are getting ready to molt. Don’t touch it, and make sure the humidity is up. They need humidity or they will mis-molt and die. It should molt soon, and once it comes out of the nest ON ITS OWN, you can feed it again.
And yes, jumpers need good lighting.
Hope this helps

 

[Pekoko]

Excellent, thanks for your reply Nicole.
I've been spraying one side of the enclosure every day so no worries on humidity however heat/lighting is scarce when I'm not at home, just purchased a timer for this reason. Hopefully this one can moult happily and healthily! Thanks again!

 

[Nicole C G]

I recommend getting an LED desk lamp! I got one for about 12USD

 

[notasockgal]

Hey there!
Your sweet girl is mostly likely getting ready to molt. Make sure humidity is high, but I do have a question what do you have your heating lamp set at?
Jumping spiders are usually happy with room temperature, any reason you purchased a heating lamp? I would just be careful because you don't wanna cook our little buddy!
Also, I'm sure you know but make sure what your feeding isn't bigger than his little belly to avoid any harm from crickets or mealworms!

 

[Pekoko]

Hey there!
Your sweet girl is mostly likely getting ready to molt. Make sure humidity is high, but I do have a question what do you have your heating lamp set at?
Jumping spiders are usually happy with room temperature, any reason you purchased a heating lamp? I would just be careful because you don't wanna cook our little buddy!
Also, I'm sure you know but make sure what your feeding isn't bigger than his little belly to avoid any harm from crickets or mealworms!

Juni seems to only like to eat stuff I kill for her, weirdly! So no risk. Alas, I will try to feed smaller stuff from now on.

The heat lamp doesn't have much in the way of settings and my room can be quite dark and cold, so I mostly got it for the winter! Good point about cooking her, I'll make sure to not point it directly at the enclosure and from a distance.

That said, she seems to love the lamp! She always pops her little head out and basks in it like a lizard. She's a weird spider, lol.

 

[notasockgal]

She sounds so cool! Honestly, it all really comes down to their preference! I honestly have considered getting a heat lamp as well, and if it's working so well for you I just might. I love my room to be freezing cold but I'm scared about it being too cold for my little friend. And well I'm sure Juni is a happy healthy girl!

 

[Pekoko]

This is my first invertibrate so I'm still learning! I'm happy to hear any opinions or criticisms because I just want her to live a happy spidey life. She seems ok for now aside from the fact she's still in web. She came out for a bit last night to grab some water off the side of her enclosure. I think it won't be long?

 

[CRX]

I see you mention you fed her a black cricket. You need to be aware, its not very safe to feed insects from outside. Very often they will have pesticide on them, or parasites. I'm just assuming you got it from outside since feeder crickets in the hobby are typically not black.

Also, you say she only eats prekilled prey?? Thats very odd. Jumpers are very sight-oriented, my P audax immediately locks onto prey when I drop it in her enclosure.

 

[Pekoko]

I see you mention you fed her a black cricket. You need to be aware, its not very safe to feed insects from outside. Very often they will have pesticide on them, or parasites. I'm just assuming you got it from outside since feeder crickets in the hobby are typically not black.

Also, you say she only eats prekilled prey?? Thats very odd. Jumpers are very sight-oriented, my P audax immediately locks onto prey when I drop it in her enclosure.

Hi, the crickets are prebought! From a pet store nearby.

I'm not sure why she only eats stuff that's already dead, but she's very polite when she takes it from me!

 

[AlbaArachnids92]

I'm just assuming you got it from outside since feeder crickets in the hobby are typically not black.

Black crickets are VERY common in UK pet stores almost exclusively what I use for feeding

 

[CRX]

Hi, the crickets are prebought! From a pet store nearby.

I'm not sure why she only eats stuff that's already dead, but she's very polite when she takes it from me!

You should try and get her to eat live prey eventually, jumpers are obligate hunters and I'm sure she'd enjoy it once she learns to.

And oh wow, about the crickets, I had no idea they're black in other countries. Here in the US they're always the tan colored house crickets.

 

[AlbaArachnids92]

And oh wow, about the crickets, I had no idea they're black in other countries. Here in the US they're always the tan colored house crickets.

My local stores and big chains here normally have both available I tend to find the tan/brown variety more 'jumpy'/active so I use those for some of my more reclusive Ts that need the extra stimulation to promote feeding, the black ones are easier to catch coming from the experience of dropping a box of each at the same time

 

[Nicole C G]

Hi, the crickets are prebought! From a pet store nearby.

I'm not sure why she only eats stuff that's already dead, but she's very polite when she takes it from me!

Some jumpers are intimidated by large fast moving prey, also if they are in a weak state. It is common behavior to eat pre-killed prey, but it is recommended that you also offer live prey eventually. They may live longer when they eat live prey. But it’s nothing to worry about.

 

[Pekoko]

My local stores and big chains here normally have both available I tend to find the tan/brown variety more 'jumpy'/active so I use those for some of my more reclusive Ts that need the extra stimulation to promote feeding, the black ones are easier to catch coming from the experience of dropping a box of each at the same time

for me the black ones were simply the only ones they had that were around the right size and I assumed they'd be fine. Glad to hear that others feed them to their little eight-legged friends too!

Will make sure Juni learns to hunt eventually when she feels confident enough. I suspect on a flat terrain (such as the top of her enclosure) she'll find it easier, so I will try it next time she is hungry/when she comes out of her web sack as she hasn't yet!

Keeping a close eye on temperature now too, got one of those little tank thermometers.

 

[regalpaws]

for me the black ones were simply the only ones they had that were around the right size and I assumed they'd be fine. Glad to hear that others feed them to their little eight-legged friends too!

Will make sure Juni learns to hunt eventually when she feels confident enough. I suspect on a flat terrain (such as the top of her enclosure) she'll find it easier, so I will try it next time she is hungry/when she comes out of her web sack as she hasn't yet!

Keeping a close eye on temperature now too, got one of those little tank thermometers.

Omg I love your jumpers name, that is adorable.
Sometimes what I do, especially before they get to be experienced hunters lol, I take a pair of feeding tongs and hold the cricket for them until they pounce on it. But it depends, sometimes they are intimidated by the tongs.

 

[Pekoko]

Omg I love your jumpers name, that is adorable.
Sometimes what I do, especially before they get to be experienced hunters lol, I take a pair of feeding tongs and hold the cricket for them until they pounce on it. But it depends, sometimes they are intimidated by the tongs.

Thank you!
I will try that when she comes out.

As a little update; she's been twitching on her back in the web a bit, and there's other stuff in there with her too. So she should be okay soon!

 

[regalpaws]

Thank you!
I will try that when she comes out.

As a little update; she's been twitching on her back in the web a bit, and there's other stuff in there with her too. So she should be okay soon!

Ooh, sounds like she's starting to molt then.

 

[Pekoko]

Ooh, sounds like she's starting to molt then.

Lovely lady is letting me know she is okay! She looks very hungry but has not ventured out further than this yet.

Does she look healthy to you experts?

Thanks!

 

[Storii]

Hi, the crickets are prebought! From a pet store nearby.

I'm not sure why she only eats stuff that's already dead, but she's very polite when she takes it from me!

What does she do if you try and give it alive? How did you know to kill it and that she just wasnt hungry??? Jumpers are hunters ⁹⁹.9% of the time they want to and liove to hunt their prey...really curious...great read so far