Latrodectus Spider Novice Needs Help

[Raenius]

Hi, I am new to this forum and think its great.
I am currently looking after 2 Redback Spiders from Australia (Latrodectus hasseltii).
They are both in jars (Separately) with a couple of sticks for web support.
The problem is it is getting very cold here and neither spider is eating.
The larger one is not even spinning a web, justing hanging upside down for a long time.
The smaller one does not respond to struggling insects in her web....
Do I need to improve their living conditions?

 

[alex]

I've kept all my widows in room temp and they have been doing fine.

 

[Kugellager]

How cool are we talking? Below 60F(15C)? If so how much below these temperatures? I wouldn't really worry too much unless we are talking below about 40F(5C). You need to remember that when arachnids (invertebrates in general) cool down their metabolism slows down as well. Because of the slower metabolic rate their feeding frequency will slow as a result. In species that survive the winter months into the next spring the typical response is to go long periods remaining motionless and will not eat.

I suspect this is what is happening with your widows spiders. Try warming things back up to about 25C and I bet they will feed again and guarantee they will become more active...of course widow spiders in general are not very active to begin with.

John
];')