First steps in getting a Bold Jumping Spider, (Phidippus Audax)

[Twiggy1995]

So.

I live in southern Ontario, and I have been recommended to get a Bold Jumping Spider or "Phidippus Audax), and after doing some basic research, it seems I do want one.

It seems it doesn't need tropical temperature or humidity, and basic room temperature and humidity should be fine. (if I am wrong about this, please correct me).

I think I'll want to start with a baby, or "sling", so my first question is for a sling, how small of a container will be fine? maybe a cup with a lid, or something? Do they really need much as babies, or is it just juveniles and adults that need larger enclosures with some things to climb on?

I guess this specific jumping spider won't need substrate?

I'm planning to feed wax worms for the juvenile and adult stages, and flightless fruit flies for the slings stage.

Also, how long is the sling stage, does it last long enough for me to set up the larger enclosure just the way I want without rush?

What else should I know?

 

[katamari]

Normal room temp & humidity is fine, just make sure you've got some good ventilation for your enclosure.

For a small sling (3i-5i) I use little 2oz plastic condiment cups, then step up to a 5.5oz plastic deli cup until I can sex them. Usually about 7i i move them to 16oz-32oz size cups or enclosures.

They don't need much decor as slings (I usually have a fake flower and some paper towels), I go pretty minimal on mine until they are juvie/subadult size, but i keep a lot of them and that's what I've found works for me.

They don't require substrate, but I do think once they're larger they prefer something other than just bare plastic at the bottom of their enclosures - even if it's just paper towels or dried leaves or something.

You've got a few months from sling to subadult stage so you've got time to figure out and set up a final home you and your spood can both love and enjoy.

Flightless fruit flies work great, wax worms will prob work fine tho you may need to mix it up with a cricket or roach or fly or something they can chase once and again.

 

[regalpaws]

I agree, the waxworms as the primary source of food isn't necessarily recommended, as they are very high in fats and not a lot of protein. They're more of a treat.
Personally, I love to use substrate in my enclosures with live plants - but they don't need it. I find it helps keep the humidity up, but if you don't use substrate, just be sure to mist them every day (which you should do regardless of substrate, but even more important on enclosures without sub)
I also want to bring up brown boxing, Im not sure what it is like for Canada, but it is illegal to ship spoods thru certain postal services, except for FedEx here in the states. Just do your research, it is important to get captive bred specimens for conservation, etc. Usually you'll know who is a good seller and who isnt depending on what their shipping process is.

 

[TheraMygale]

In your current locality, its possible to find many wild jumpers. Very pretty ones too.

we have atleast 2 big dealers for spiders in canada. The one closest to you is worth checking out. They often travel and have delivery pickups. So i encourage you to research the canadian dealers.

jumpers dont require much.

a tall enclosure with excellent cross ventilation. Branches. Water bowl. Webbing anchors/hide.

thats about it. You can add substrate since it looks nice and allows to give some moisture in the dry wonter months.

many jumpers being the arboreal type, they live in humid ventilated places. They also enjoy light.

so enclosure does not need to be in the window, but near a natural light source.

 

[Twiggy1995]

Update.

I am getting a Phiddipus Audax Bryante sling today, along with a sling enclosure, and some flies included.

Now, I am just trying to check local places to see if they carry fruit flies. I hear spring tails can work as well for sling food?

I do hear they need to be kept out of direct sun so they don't get cooked, so I am thinking in the corner of a room, where there is lots of light, but on the same side that the window is, so there's no way sun can get there directly.

I also heard if not possible, then some LED white light should work as well?

 

[Ratmosphere]

LED's are not necessary.

 

[TheraMygale]

If they get sone indirect like that reflects the dayly cycle it should be good.

pinhead crickets will do well too.

 

[Twiggy1995]

Introducing Lord/Lady Spyger!

My first ever, Phiddipus Audax Bryante sling and spider ever.

I got a culture of hydei fruit flies, and a 4L jug of distilled water all set to go.

The breeder (Maple Phiddipus) said he put some flies in there, but I can't see them, or maybe they are dead, all I can tell is it doesn't look like what my fly culture looks like.

I will wait to spray a single spray of water in until tomorrow, and also feed if needed. Can anyone tell me if it looks like there's live flies in there? I think maybe not, though I was told there would be.

Also, at this stage, how much and how often should I be feeding?

Currently I have them in a fish tank, in the corner of a room, so they can get natural day/night, while also being out of direct sun so they don't get cooked, and have protection from the cat.

Another question, can I put the lid on without worrying about creating a green house effect and cooking it? I would weigh it down, to provide extra protection from the cat as well.

Photos in the attachments.

 

[TheraMygale]

i think panty hose can work to keep them inside.

are you to put branches and leaves in your spider enclosure? Is the enclosure upside down?

 

[Twiggy1995]

i think panty hose can work to keep them inside.

are you to put branches and leaves in your spider enclosure? Is the enclosure upside down?

I don't really have an "enclosure" yet, right now it's just a modified cup like in the photos, because it's just a sling. I will be soon working on setting up an enclosure for when Spyger grows.

 

[TheraMygale]

Id still add a dead leaf of two and stick. It will have a place to hide and climb.

 

[katamari]

Introducing Lord/Lady Spyger!

My first ever, Phiddipus Audax Bryante sling and spider ever.

Congrats!

...at this stage, how much and how often should I be feeding?

It's hard to tell exactly how big your spider is from your pics, but to me it looks more "leggy" than what I would consider a sling. Did the breeder indicate the DOB of the spood and/or what instar it's at? It looks like it could be 6-7i already. Again it's hard to make out a lot from the pics, so I could be off-base here. If it is that size, then it is probably craving something more substantial than fruit flies; Bold jumpers are capable of taking down prey bigger than themselves (sometimes significantly so). Frequency of feeding depends on the spood, but if you offer them prey about the size of their abdomen, they'll generally eat every 2-4 days at that size.

Currently I have them in a fish tank, in the corner of a room, so they can get natural day/night, while also being out of direct sun so they don't get cooked, and have protection from the cat.

Another question, can I put the lid on without worrying about creating a green house effect and cooking it? I would weigh it down, to provide extra protection from the cat as well.

Photos in the attachments.

It's hard to see what kind of ventilation the cup has (I see white "rings" of some sort and a bright green plug or something?) but it doesn't look like much, and if you're nesting that within a lidded aquarium, you're tempting fate. I don't know how much of a troublemaker your cat is, and it's probably okay for your spood in the very short-term, but I would look for a different solution ASAP.

 

[Twiggy1995]

Congrats!



It's hard to tell exactly how big your spider is from your pics, but to me it looks more "leggy" than what I would consider a sling. Did the breeder indicate the DOB of the spood and/or what instar it's at? It looks like it could be 6-7i already. Again it's hard to make out a lot from the pics, so I could be off-base here. If it is that size, then it is probably craving something more substantial than fruit flies; Bold jumpers are capable of taking down prey bigger than themselves (sometimes significantly so). Frequency of feeding depends on the spood, but if you offer them prey about the size of their abdomen, they'll generally eat every 2-4 days at that size.

Thanks, yeah. I just fed it for the first time, it was tool so see it notice the fly, then focus on it, then stare at it, then when the fly moved again, it jumped on it and that was that.

I think I'll go with 3 flies a day for now, until I can get something else.

Do you have anything in mind that you think maybe be more suitable? I think a cricket or roach, would still be too large.

 

[Twiggy1995]

Id still add a dead leaf of two and stick. It will have a place to hide and climb.

I could definitely add a leaf, or a fake leaf. I'm not so sure about a stick/twig though, as I often find myself holding and carrying the cup, so I am fearful that a stick/twig may fall during that and potentially harm Spyger.

When I do make a proper larger enclosure, I will be sure to have all included things glued, or "magneted" down in place.

 

[TheraMygale]

Turn the enclosure upside down. The stick wont go everywhere. Ive done many improvised jumper enclosures, and ive never had issues with moving branches.

a plastic leaf will give it shelter and it can make a web hamac inside.