My new pet jumping spider hasnt left his nest in days..

[kokoria]

about 3-4 days ago i had caught a phidippus audax (im pretty sure) in my windowsill, whom i named Johnny. i had caught him, and as currently housing him in a small pill capsule, as i dont really have the materials or availability to get a microhabitat. once Johnny had made his nest in the pill capsule, hes just been staying in there. he hasnt come out for water or food that ive tried to feed him. i have noticed his abdomen get smaller over the past couple days, and im worried he may not be adapting to his current home.

the first photo is when i first found him and the second was just now. apologies for a poor quality second photo, my camera has a hard time focusing sometimes.

 

[Nicole C G]

Sounds like regular molting behavior. They go into a state called “pre-molt” where they make a nest, (commonly thick, but not always so) and then they stay in there for a few days to a few weeks. Then, they will undergo a process called “molting” where they will break out of their old exoskeleton and have a new one underneath which will harden a few days after molting. It’s very important you don’t disturb them during this time. If they haven’t come out, stop giving them food until they come out. Do not touch them, or try to play with them until they emerge. You may notice that it is now bigger. It’s true! Molting is the only way they can grow, so they grow in bursts. (Technically they are growing continuously, but underneath their exoskeleton and they can’t expand until they molt.) so if all the sudden you see them twitching around, in an abnormal way, it is molting! When it molts, you will see your spider, and it’s exuviae which is the old exoskeleton

Now, there is the Possibility that it’s just resting for a few days, and that they won’t molt. That happens. So be prepared for either one! Also, people recommend keeping stable humidity in the enclosure until it molts. To make sure it doesn’t dry out during molting. Also, how do you know it’s male?

Also about its enclosure. Can I see a picture of the whole thing?

 

[Poonjab]

Probably just doing things in there. It’s fine

 

[SilentWidowMaker]

I care for several Phidippus Audax and my guess is not only could it be preparing for molting, but also depending on the size pill bottle it may just not be comfortable with its home. They're very active spiders and a little bit more room will allow them to move around and be a little happier.

 

[Nicole C G]

I care for several Phidippus Audax and my guess is not only could it be preparing for molting, but also depending on the size pill bottle it may just not be comfortable with its home. They're very active spiders and a little bit more room will allow them to move around and be a little happier.

Exactly why we need to see the enclosure.

 

[CRX]

about 3-4 days ago i had caught a phidippus audax (im pretty sure) in my windowsill, whom i named Johnny. i had caught him, and as currently housing him in a small pill capsule, as i dont really have the materials or availability to get a microhabitat. once Johnny had made his nest in the pill capsule, hes just been staying in there. he hasnt come out for water or food that ive tried to feed him. i have noticed his abdomen get smaller over the past couple days, and im worried he may not be adapting to his current home.

the first photo is when i first found him and the second was just now. apologies for a poor quality second photo, my camera has a hard time focusing sometimes.

That is not a P audax IMO. The back pattern isn't right.

 

[CRX]

To clarify, both P. audax and regius (I consider them extremely closely related) have a pattern on their abdomen that almost looks like a crude smiley face. This is one surefire way of IDing these 2 species. The pattern on OPs spider looks considerably different, probably a smaller species. Audax and regius are 2 of the largest species, and theres no large species with that pattern from what I know.

I'm sorry to ramble, but my point is, I don't see much point in keeping tiny jumper species. Unless you're raising them to breed and release back into the wild (a noble cause) I think you're better off just looking for a Audax or Regius. They're semi common where I live in Kentucky.

Also, ive seen many baby jumpers, and OPs jumpers looks TINY. I can tell its a sling even though the pic is zoomed in. The babies have even more exaggerated heads than the adults. One last question, do you have a viable food source for a spider this small? I've seen up close in person and these baby jumpers are not much bigger than springtails.