Jumping Spider Newbie - ID and advice?

Mandora

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 25, 2024
Messages
12
Hi all,
I LOVE jumpers (well, spiders generally...) and 2 days ago I found one in my house. It's the depths of winter where I am (Ontario Canada) so I couldn't release it outside, and since I've got cats and dogs who would love to eat a little spider friend, I decided to try my hand at keeping him as a pet.
I've set up an enclosure for him (4"X4"X7") with a plant/vine to climb (the plant I found him on in my house actually, so I know he likes it). No substrate yet, but open to suggestions. I've been misting his enclosure daily for water, and have a paper towel wrapped around the plant stem to help it grow roots, which acts as extra moisture.
Yesterday he ate a pinhead cricket, and he just took another right now, so he seems happy enough. I plan to rotate pinhead crickets and fruit flies.

Am I missing anything here, for basic husbandry? I've been trying to convince my local reptile supplier to bring in some jumpers forEVER and they're interested in how my little experiment goes here. I really want to get it right so I can say 'I told you guys! They're worth bringing in!'

I think he's a tan jumper (Platycryptus undatus) but would love if someone could confirm or correct me. I've been trying to get a good pic of his face/eyes, but to no avail. Hopefully one of these pics can be useful for ID purposes?
Screen Shot 2024-01-25 at 1.27.49 PM.png Screen Shot 2024-01-25 at 1.28.03 PM.png Screen Shot 2024-01-25 at 1.28.13 PM.png
Any and all advice welcome! Thanks everyone!
 

Tbone192

Arachnobaron
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
445
Hi all,
I LOVE jumpers (well, spiders generally...) and 2 days ago I found one in my house. It's the depths of winter where I am (Ontario Canada) so I couldn't release it outside, and since I've got cats and dogs who would love to eat a little spider friend, I decided to try my hand at keeping him as a pet.
I've set up an enclosure for him (4"X4"X7") with a plant/vine to climb (the plant I found him on in my house actually, so I know he likes it). No substrate yet, but open to suggestions. I've been misting his enclosure daily for water, and have a paper towel wrapped around the plant stem to help it grow roots, which acts as extra moisture.
Yesterday he ate a pinhead cricket, and he just took another right now, so he seems happy enough. I plan to rotate pinhead crickets and fruit flies.

Am I missing anything here, for basic husbandry? I've been trying to convince my local reptile supplier to bring in some jumpers forEVER and they're interested in how my little experiment goes here. I really want to get it right so I can say 'I told you guys! They're worth bringing in!'

I think he's a tan jumper (Platycryptus undatus) but would love if someone could confirm or correct me. I've been trying to get a good pic of his face/eyes, but to no avail. Hopefully one of these pics can be useful for ID purposes?
View attachment 465739 View attachment 465741 View attachment 465742
Any and all advice welcome! Thanks everyone!
I think your assessment is accurate, Platycryptus undatus looks about right. Care also looks good, you could add some cocoa fiber or another acceptable substrate and maybe a bottle cap water dish if you feel fancy. Doesn't need to be watered but keeping the water dish full, especially when it gets dry, is a game changer. I would recommend feeding every 4-7 days but more often won't hurt. Thanks for taking the time and effort to properly care for the little guy/gal. Welcome to AB and best wishes with your new friend.
 

Mandora

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 25, 2024
Messages
12
I think your assessment is accurate, Platycryptus undatus looks about right. Care also looks good, you could add some cocoa fiber or another acceptable substrate and maybe a bottle cap water dish if you feel fancy. Doesn't need to be watered but keeping the water dish full, especially when it gets dry, is a game changer. I would recommend feeding every 4-7 days but more often won't hurt. Thanks for taking the time and effort to properly care for the little guy/gal. Welcome to AB and best wishes with your new friend.
Thanks a million! I've been trying to break into jumpers for literally YEARS but they're hard to source captive bred here and I never love taking anything from the wild. I'm pretty excited to finally get my chance. ;) I'm looking forward to learning from all the experience here!
 
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