Phidippus johnsoni for 5 yr olds first spider?

[xirxes]

Hello,

My niece is fascinated with spiders. She has named a few harvestman she regularly sees in her garage. I was wondering if I could set up a 4x4x4" proper enclosure, and catch a nice P. Johnson jumper, weekly water dropper and a small cricket every 1/2 weeks will be good for her to keep it alive for 6-8 months?

 

[Beary Strange]

I guess it depends on how well you know and trust her? I mean, that's a small, delicate thing that could so easily be crushed by an overexcited young child. But I guess the same is true of just about any invert in that situation and as spiders go, a Phidippus would be a good choice, being easy to care for, basically harmless and fun to watch. I'd go with something larger than a 4x4x4 cube though; they like to explore and wander around. I use leftover pretzel containers about 10H x 5-6W for my adults with plenty of hiding places and fake plants glued at varying levels throughout. And I would definitely make sure she understands their short lifespans and what that means.

 

[xirxes]

She will not be handling it, just observing, watering and feeding.

Her parents requirements are no handling and no exotic care routines lol.

How long can they go between feedings while staying healthy?

 

[jecraque]

She will not be handling it, just observing, watering and feeding.

Her parents requirements are no handling and no exotic care routines lol.

How long can they go between feedings while staying healthy?

I think this is potentially a great idea, assuming the kid is legitimately trustworthy and interested.
Given the situation, I'd expect the best plan of action would be to appoint one day a week "feeding day" and just keep it regular and structured. That way the kid knows and anticipates it, the spider doesn't get over- or under-fed, and the parents are happy keeping things as simple as possible.

 

[xirxes]

Ok, so this tiny little salticide is the first one I have found that suits. It is about the size of a large grain of rice. I captured it a small gnat from a tree and it POUNCED on it within 30 seconds inside vial.

Any idea on an ID? I would like to know if it gets larger thanks!

 

[pitbulllady]

I would actually suggest a Kukulcania hibernalis as a kid's first spider. They are big, they are docile and pretty much unfazed by most things, they aren't too fast-moving and cannot jump or climb smooth surfaces, and you won't be dealing with having to explain to a five-year-old why their pet isn't moving and is all curled up on the bottom the enclosure any time soon if you care for the spider properly. Your five-year-old will be all grown up and going off to college by the time the spider's lifespan is over, if you get her a young female! These are pretty durable spiders, too, in case an enclosure is accidentally dropped. When she is a bit older, and more responsible, and can understand better that animals do not live as long as people for the most part, then you can let her start keeping Jumpers. Go ahead and introduce her to the Jumpers, let her watch them, but for durability and lifespan, I'd still go with a female K. hibernalis for a child's first true spider.

pitbulllady

 

[Beary Strange]

I don't know if such a small jumper is a great idea; they're a bit harder to keep alive. I think pitbulllady's suggestion is great.

 

[xirxes]

Well, there lifespan is what it is, and this little one is very in tune with that. I don't know if any of you have children, but this 5 year old is quote cool and collected most times.

I also do not know if the recommended house spider is local here, as I've never seen anything that large around the house here in So Cal.

I located a Phiddipus aurox today that will be the first candidate. If it feeds on a pinhead tonight, I'll set her up.

 

[The Snark]

Make it a true life changing unforgettable experience that includes introduction to time, speed, and distance equations and that humans may not always be at the top of the food chain. And of course, closing the lid practice: Phoneutria.

 

[xirxes]

Make it a true life changing unforgettable experience that includes introduction to time, speed, and distance equations and that humans may not always be at the top of the food chain. And of course, closing the lid practice: Phoneutria.

Paraphrasing Gould: The statement that this is the 'AGE OF MAN' is the height of anthropocentric hubris, Arachnids, fungi and bacteria have us beat in all possible metrics: individual count, global adaptation, and global biomass, this is the 'AGE OF BACTERIA'

 

[The Snark]

Paraphrasing Gould: The statement that this is the 'AGE OF MAN' is the height of anthropocentric hubris, Arachnids, fungi and bacteria have us beat in all possible metrics: individual count, global adaptation, and global biomass, this is the 'AGE OF BACTERIA'

Hesiod and Ovid were a couple of horses rear ends with extremely shallow thinking and limited knowledge. However, they were generally correct. They just failed to take into account there is a pyramid beneath 'man' and chipping away at the underpinnings brings down the whole mess and the one at the top has the longest distance to fall.

 

[Smokehound714]

I would recommend against Johnsoni. They're quite bite-prone compared to other phidippus sp..

I would recommend against small jumpers even more. Juvenile phidippus can be quite shy.


Audax is definitely the best candidate but dont bring them close to your eyes!

 

[Ambly]

Your niece is going to be cool. Especially with someone like you helping her discover.