Is this normal?

[LadyShia77]

Hello, again. My phidippus putnami girl, Sprite, has changed her behavior recently. She has started hanging upside down from the underside of the top of her enclosure with her abdomen hanging down. When Inspritz her enclosure, she will move around and act like herself. She is a mature female that became mature back in summer. Is this behavior normal or should I be concerned? Thanks in advance.

 

[William Dawson]

It could be that her abdomen is just heavy. Is she eating and drinking water normally? It could also be that she feels a bit stressed recently, and is doing so to stay out of reach of predators. Are there any stray crickets or such in the bottom of her enclosure?

 

[LadyShia77]

It could be that her abdomen is just heavy. Is she eating and drinking water normally? It could also be that she feels a bit stressed recently, and is doing so to stay out of reach of predators. Are there any stray crickets or such in the bottom of her enclosure?

She's been eating and drinking normally from what I've seen and I haven't seen any leftover crickets in her enclosure.

 

[William Dawson]

Okay then, she should be alright if that's the case. My older female Phidippus audax has been doing a similar thing. I suppose she just feels it's easier to stay up high and watch for prey rather than constantly climbing up and down, worrying about falling as she makes her way back up the sides. Hopefully your jumper is just feeling more comfortable in the new position, and there isn't anything wrong :]

 

[LadyShia77]

Okay then, she should be alright if that's the case. My older female Phidippus audax has been doing a similar thing. I suppose she just feels it's easier to stay up high and watch for prey rather than constantly climbing up and down, worrying about falling as she makes her way back up the sides. Hopefully your jumper is just feeling more comfortable in the new position, and there isn't anything wrong :]

Thank you. I'm a little late seeing this, but she switched and is back to chilling at the top of her hideaway for the time being. It's probably as you said.