New to jumping spiders... tips?

[CrazedHoosier]

Hello, spider men and women! I just got a male audax jumping spider, and would like to hear some tips/ask some questions. Firstly, my little jumper is only 3-4 weeks old and a few millimeters, and I bought an exo-terra 12x12 inch enclosure, but am unsure if he can go in there yet. Would it be okay to put him in there at that size, or should I keep him in the little sauce cup he came in for a bit longer? Also, should I still feed him wingless fruit flies, or should I upgrade to tiny mealworms?

Any tips, tricks, and general expert advice about audax jumpers? Thanks in advance!

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

Hi! Phiddipus audax are abundant here in the wilds of Oregon. They can usually be found hunting on sunny warm walls, so it would be ideal to keep it near a window that gets direct sunlight. That size enclosure might be overkill, but if you can get the prey item near it, it might work out. It's usually going to hang out/web up the top corners, so front opening is good. Fruit flies or green bottle blue flies or even crickets work better than mealworms in my experience but try it and see if it takes them. They are fun to have, good luck!

 

[CrazedHoosier]

So I put my audax jumper in my 12x12x12 Exo-Terra, 5 hours went by, he disappeared, and now I can’t find him. I did have to silicone some gaps by the doors, as he is so small that he could fit through them.

Since I’m no longer seeing him, what are the chances that he found another hole and escaped? Is it possible that he burrowed into my coco coir substrate?

I’ll be a bit devastated if he escaped. I spent way too much money on his enclosure, so I’ll probably end up putting a small amphibian in there if he doesn’t show up.

Well, it was a false alarm on the escaping. I decided I had nothing to lose by taking the lid off, did so, and discovered that he had crawled under the lid and built a silk pouch there. He hasn’t come out of it, though. How normal is that? Should I be concerned with him getting stuck in that area?

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

That's great that you found it! I wouldn't be concerned, that's what they do, find the highest nook or cranny they can and wedge themselves in there. I imagine if it got itself in there, it can get itself out of there. Has it eaten anything?

 

[basin79]

Never a good idea to put an enclosure on a windowsill. When the sun hits the temperature within could go crazy.

I used to keep jumpers in 20cm square plastic tubs with a sling pot stuck to the side at the top. That way the jumper would web inside that and I could take the lid off.

If you do use the exo terra just make sure you see your spider feed. As in either tong feed prekilled prey or sit and watch until your spider has caught the prey.

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

That's my bad, I didn't mean directly on the window sill. I've been under the impression that an obvious day/night cycle helps with hunting instincts? I don't know for sure if that's the case, just my observation. My 2 captive jumpers tend to be more active when the sun is coming through the living room window, but they are about 6 feet away from that window that is also obstructed by a large tv. My free roaming jumpers never stray too far away from the hallway window, when the sun is on that side they are in the window the entire time the sun is. But if they were in an enclosure there then yes it would definitely get too warm in there.

 

[basin79]

That's my bad, I didn't mean directly on the window sill. I've been under the impression that an obvious day/night cycle helps with hunting instincts? I don't know for sure if that's the case, just my observation. My 2 captive jumpers tend to be more active when the sun is coming through the living room window, but they are about 6 feet away from that window that is also obstructed by a large tv. My free roaming jumpers never stray too far away from the hallway window, when the sun is on that side they are in the window the entire time the sun is. But if they were in an enclosure there then yes it would definitely get too warm in there.

A sunny wall equals flys sunbathing and jumpers know that. Whilst a day/night cycle is vital just the daylight in a room is enough.

 

[CrazedHoosier]

Oh yay, lots of informative comments! I put a similar sized cricket in there last night, but I’m guessing he did not see it since he was up there in that weird crevice. That said, the cricket mysteriously disappeared after being added. The jumper (who I named Parker after Peter Parker), hasn’t come out of his silk pocket yet. I’m not sure what to do, as he’s in such a weird place that I can’t put food by him unless I take the entire lid off the enclosure.

I have other glass enclosure animals, so I’m familiar with the whole greenhouse effect concept. He’s near a western exposure window that has a tree outside it and a zz plant covering it. I went ahead and bought him an LED because I’m growing plants in there, and window light on its own isn’t enough to keep them alive.

Thank you all for your comments!

 

[basin79]

Oh yay, lots of informative comments! I put a similar sized cricket in there last night, but I’m guessing he did not see it since he was up there in that weird crevice. That said, the cricket mysteriously disappeared after being added. The jumper (who I named Parker after Peter Parker), hasn’t come out of his silk pocket yet. I’m not sure what to do, as he’s in such a weird place that I can’t put food by him unless I take the entire lid off the enclosure.

I have other glass enclosure animals, so I’m familiar with the whole greenhouse effect concept. He’s near a western exposure window that has a tree outside it and a zz plant covering it. I went ahead and bought him an LED because I’m growing plants in there, and window light on its own isn’t enough to keep them alive.

Thank you all for your comments!

When a jumper is hungry they're out actively looking for food. If yours stays in his hammock it'll mean he's probably going to moult.

 

[CrazedHoosier]

How long does the molting process usually last for a 4-ish week old audax? He hasn’t come out yet.

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

The actual molt is quick, preparing to molt, only the spider knows. Sorry to be of such little help here, maybe someone more experienced can provide a better answer.