Jumping Spider Care?

[Mitchel]

I'm a first time T owner, but I've also been wanting a jumping spider. I've had my T for about 3 months, now, and I've grown accustomed to her behaviors and needs and I worry about her much less, now.

That being said, I've been wanting a true spider for a while, now, and I thought a jumping spider would be a good option. The issue is, I don't know how complicated their care is. Can anyone help me out? What do I need to do to care for one?

 

[chanda]

Like most spiders, jumping spiders are pretty self-sufficient and low maintenance. They'll need a secure enclosure of some sort (I like deli cups with vented "insect lids"), a bit of substrate at the bottom to help retain moisture, and things to climb on/hide in, like twigs or bits of bark. I don't bother with water dishes for true spiders (except fishing spiders) - I just give them a quick spritz every few days to provide drinking water (they'll sip if off the sides of the enclosure or off the bark or twigs). I also get the substrate a bit moist maybe once every week or so. As for feeders, pretty much any small feeder insects will do - fruit flies (for slings or very small jumpers), house flies or similar for larger jumpers, mealworms, and of course, crickets. If they're getting fruit flies, I'll usually feed them a couple of times a week. With larger feeders, once a week should be sufficient. They shouldn't require sufficient heat or light, as long as they are kept indoors and you aren't living in an igloo or something. Generally, as long as you are comfortable, they are comfortable, just like with Ts.

 

[VolkswagenBug]

I can't really add much to chanda's post in terms of care, but that's a great choice for a beginner spider. Other spiders you might want to consider are D. crocata, Kukulcania, and Olios - all pretty simple species/genera.

 

[chanda]

I can't really add much to chanda's post in terms of care, but that's a great choice for a beginner spider. Other spiders you might want to consider are D. crocata, Kukulcania, and Olios - all pretty simple species/genera.

Agreed - also very easy to care for! (Of course, D. crocata and female Kukulcania are rarely seen if appropriately housed. Whenever I've had D. crocata they spend most of their time hiding underneath dirt, bark, or bits of leaves, and the Kukulcania will make herself a web in the least-accessible hole or crevice she can find - and pretty much never leave it. I only see mine if I shine a flashlight into the nest, just to make sure she hasn't died on me. Male Kukulcania are active prowlers - but short-lived.) My Olios gigantea, on the other hand, is usually out in the open.

Actually, despite their fearsome reputation, black widows make excellent pet spiders. My very first pet spider was a black widow. Keeping and observing her was a huge part of what converted me from arachnophobe to arachnophile. They are super easy to take care of, quite hardy, and generally visible - provided you don't give them something they can just disappear into. I keep mine in deli cups with ventilated insect lids, several twigs to web on, and a bit of dry substrate. I have Western Black Widows (L. hesperus) which do just fine in our deserts, so I don't really bother wetting their substrate - I just give them a very light bit of mist every week or two. They get most of their moisture from their food. One thing to beware of, though - although they are naturally timid spiders and will initially retreat when you approach or open their enclosure, they are also capable of learning a feeding response (cage opening=food) and may learn to approach the opening to the cage when it is opened. It's not a big deal - you just need to keep your fingers clear when dropping in feeders.

 

[VolkswagenBug]

Agreed - also very easy to care for! (Of course, D. crocata and female Kukulcania are rarely seen if appropriately housed. Whenever I've had D. crocata they spend most of their time hiding underneath dirt, bark, or bits of leaves, and the Kukulcania will make herself a web in the least-accessible hole or crevice she can find - and pretty much never leave it. I only see mine if I shine a flashlight into the nest, just to make sure she hasn't died on me. Male Kukulcania are active prowlers - but short-lived.) My Olios gigantea, on the other hand, is usually out in the open.

Actually, despite their fearsome reputation, black widows make excellent pet spiders. My very first pet spider was a black widow. Keeping and observing her was a huge part of what converted me from arachnophobe to arachnophile. They are super easy to take care of, quite hardy, and generally visible - provided you don't give them something they can just disappear into. I keep mine in deli cups with ventilated insect lids, several twigs to web on, and a bit of dry substrate. I have Western Black Widows (L. hesperus) which do just fine in our deserts, so I don't really bother wetting their substrate - I just give them a very light bit of mist every week or two. They get most of their moisture from their food. One thing to beware of, though - although they are naturally timid spiders and will initially retreat when you approach or open their enclosure, they are also capable of learning a feeding response (cage opening=food) and may learn to approach the opening to the cage when it is opened. It's not a big deal - you just need to keep your fingers clear when dropping in feeders.

Ime Kuk juveniles are also pretty visible, regardless of sex - my current young juvenile has several hides available but is typically rather active. Something to keep in mind.
Can't speak too much to Dysdera crocata because I've only kept them for short times, but they do seem to be very reclusive. Perhaps looking at night helps, since they are highly nocturnal.

 

[Villagecreep]

Hey a on a side note, they like to make little "hidey hole" sleeping bag like structures near the top of the enclosure for mating, etc.

 

[VolkswagenBug]

Hey a on a side note, they like to make little "hidey hole" sleeping bag like structures near the top of the enclosure for mating, etc.

Yeah, it's probably a good idea to add a stick that reaches the top. Forgot about that.
(Also, hello fellow Utahn!)

 

[basin79]

I stuck a sling pot to the top of my jumping spider enclosures. They built their hammocks in them. Stopped them webbing the lids up.

 

[Villagecreep]

Yeah, it's probably a good idea to add a stick that reaches the top. Forgot about that.
(Also, hello fellow Utahn!)

hello other Utahn!