How long does it take for jumping spiders to molt?

[Briiii]

My jumping spider has been in his nest for a week now. I’m pretty sure he’s molting because it’s a really thick nest but I can’t see him. Is it normal for molting to take this long?

 

[Tarantuland]

No way it's molting for a week and still living, but sometimes they stay in a thick web before or after molting

 

[Poonjab]

Leave em in there. It’s fine

 

[viper69]

My jumping spider has been in his nest for a week now. I’m pretty sure he’s molting because it’s a really thick nest but I can’t see him. Is it normal for molting to take this long?

Physically molting for a week- nope
Physically molting because you see a dense webbing- not for a week

 

[Lightningpaw]

My jumping spider has been in his nest for a week now. I’m pretty sure he’s molting because it’s a really thick nest but I can’t see him. Is it normal for molting to take this long?

As far as I know thick webbing isn't a problem as that's just like a home I guess but then again I'm new to owning Jumping Spiders myself.

 

[Briiii]

So should I be worried if he stays in there too long? He was very active before this and I haven’t had him for very long

 

[Tarantuland]

How long is too long? Too long for your approval?

 

[Jess S]

What species of jumping spider is it?

I have an adult female jumper that I've been keeping for a year (that I've not yet managed to identify) that spends most of her time in her nest. She comes out when she's hungry. She has some brief periods of activity where she's out for a few days. The rest of the time I hardly see her. So I wouldn't worry about it hiding or assume it's moulting. It may be just be doing its thing.

As long as the outside of the nest looks neatly maintained I don't worry. Sometimes I open the enclosure, still don't see the spider but notice some new tendrils of web here and there. That's a sign that my girl has been out looking for food. If I put a feeder in, chances are later on that day I'll see her sitting on the bark snacking on it.

 

[Briiii]

How long is too long? Too long for your approval?

I’ve never owned a spider before and I just want to make sure he’s okay

 

[Briiii]

What species of jumping spider is it?

I have an adult female jumper that I've been keeping for a year (that I've not yet managed to identify) that spends most of her time in her nest. She comes out when she's hungry. She has some brief periods of activity where she's out for a few days. The rest of the time I hardly see her. So I wouldn't worry about it hiding or assume it's moulting. It may be just be doing its thing.

As long as the outside of the nest looks neatly maintained I don't worry. Sometimes I open the enclosure, still don't see the spider but notice some new tendrils of web here and there. That's a sign that my girl has been out looking for food. If I put a feeder in, chances are later on that day I'll see her sitting on the bark snacking on it.

Hes a regal jumping spider. He’s normally pretty active but I’ve only had him for a couple weeks and I’ve never owned a spider before so this is all new for me

 

[Jess S]

Hes a regal jumping spider. He’s normally pretty active but I’ve only had him for a couple weeks and I’ve never owned a spider before so this is all new for me

It is weird for any keeper to have to get used to our first spider hiding away for weeks. I was just as worried when starting out in the hobby, my tarantula sling burrowed for over a month, even though I knew that would probably happen!

Just keep refilling the water dish when empty and at the same time add a couple of small drops onto leaves or a wall nearby the nest. Update this thread when you next see it!

 

[Briiii]

It is weird for any keeper to have to get used to our first spider hiding away for weeks. I was just as worried when starting out in the hobby, my tarantula sling burrowed for over a month, even though I knew that would probably happen!

Just keep refilling the water dish when empty and at the same time add a couple of small drops onto leaves or a wall nearby the nest. Update this thread when you next see it!

Thank you! Should I put a feeder in there for him or should I wait until he comes out? I have mealworms and dubia roaches right now

 

[DreadMan]

Thank you! Should I put a feeder in there for him or should I wait until he comes out? I have mealworms and dubia roaches right now

ah, there is your problem. If you have just been plopping in a mealworm or dubia for it every few days, thats the reason its hiding like that. Dubias and mealworms are horrible feeders for jumpers because of their armor and borrowing habits. Best outcome is you attempt to feed it a pre-killed cricket with tongs or something else. Hopefully I am wrong but your jumper might have already died of starvation, or in a deep hibernation state.

 

[Jumper]

My jumping spider has been in his nest for a week now. I’m pretty sure he’s molting because it’s a really thick nest but I can’t see him. Is it normal for molting to take this long?

To the OP, depending how old your Phidippus Regius.
If he is reaching maturity he may stay in his hammock 2-3 weeks.
Make sure you mist one side of the enclosure to keep humidity up.
Once he has molted. He will push out his old exoskeleton out of the hammock,
he will stay in his hammock for 1-3 days for his final exoskeleton has harden.
He will come out when he is ready, when he does, he will be super hungry and thirsty.

Patience is key as you don't want him to have a bad molt.
I've had some females stay in there hammock's for at least a month.
Sometimes I worry about one our little gals or little fellas, but my wife would reassure me.. nature will take care of herself.
Just be patient!

Since this is your 1st spider. My advice is to research as much as possible since he is in his hammock.
phantasticphids, opheliathemonster, worldofphids: provide awesome literature on jumping spiders.
Or message jumping spider breeders: breddbugs, phantasticphids, opheliathemonster, worldofphids.

I hope this helps!

Jumper

 

[Briiii]

To the OP, depending how old your Phidippus Regius.
If he is reaching maturity he may stay in his hammock 2-3 weeks.
Make sure you mist one side of the enclosure to keep humidity up.
Once he has molted. He will push out his old exoskeleton out of the hammock,
he will stay in his hammock for 1-3 days for his final exoskeleton has harden.
He will come out when he is ready, when he does, he will be super hungry and thirsty.

Patience is key as you don't want him to have a bad molt.
I've had some females stay in there hammock's for at least a month.
Sometimes I worry about one our little gals or little fellas, but my wife would reassure me.. nature will take care of herself.
Just be patient!

Since this is your 1st spider. My advice is to research as much as possible since he is in his hammock.
phantasticphids, opheliathemonster, worldofphids: provide awesome literature on jumping spiders.
Or message jumping spider breeders: breddbugs, phantasticphids, opheliathemonster, worldofphids.

I hope this helps!

Jumper

That definitely helps, thank you!

 

[Briiii]

ah, there is your problem. If you have just been plopping in a mealworm or dubia for it every few days, thats the reason its hiding like that. Dubias and mealworms are horrible feeders for jumpers because of their armor and borrowing habits. Best outcome is you attempt to feed it a pre-killed cricket with tongs or something else. Hopefully I am wrong but your jumper might have already died of starvation, or in a deep hibernation state.

I’ve been feeding them to him with tongs so far so I can make sure he’s caught it and so far it’s worked. Should I switch to something else?

 

[Lightningpaw]

Hes a regal jumping spider. He’s normally pretty active but I’ve only had him for a couple weeks and I’ve never owned a spider before so this is all new for me

I have a Regal and he sometimes just hides. He is very shy. I wouldn't worry I've had 2 Regals now both hid a lot. They seem to be somewhat shy.

 

[DreadMan]

I’ve been feeding them to him with tongs so far so I can make sure he’s caught it and so far it’s worked. Should I switch to something else?

Crickets. Jumpers love crickets. They also enjoy other spiders. As a treat I feed mine a small wolf spider every week.

 

[Aiden4]

Jumping spiders like to stay in their hammock for a while. You can use a flashlight to get a general image of what’s going on

 

[regisregius]

Sorry if this response is coming late, but I am also a new jumping spider owner, and I also got so worried the first time my jumper molted. Jumper’s post was very informative.

I think just be patient. They can retreat into a pre-molt web for a number of days before actually molting. I read that during this time you should disturb them as little as possible, not put any feeders in, and continue misting the enclosure daily as humidity can help with the molting process.

My little guy was in his web for about a week before he pushed his old skin out of his web. I was really worried the whole time because I didn’t have any prior experience. It gave me some peace of mind to shine a flashlight inside his web and see him shift around a little, just to know he was still alive. I wouldn’t do it too often just in case it stresses them out.

Another tip is to try giving him some warmth and light. I guess they can retreat to their web if it’s too cold and dark for too long If he still doesn’t come out, he’s probably pre-molt/molting.

The photo of the pre-molt web in the link below gave me some peace of mind as well because his web looked exactly the same:

Jumping Spider Molting Behavior

Why do jumping spiders molt? Jumping spiders molt to grow. They have to shed their exoskeletons in order to get bigger. Adult jumping spiders do not molt, hence their last molt takes them to maturity. How do I know if my jumping spider is about to molt? What are the signs of premolt? Before...

www.phantasticphids.com

I hope your little guy is doing well and that he molts soon!