Say hello to Amber the Senior Spooder!

[JasperTheSpooder]

Yesterday, I was going to put my bike away after a long ride, and I saw this little Jumping Spider. Being very interested in Jumping Spiders, I decided to try to hold the spider. I went over to it, and just as I was about to attempt to hold it, it fell backwards and landed on it’s back on the ground. I picked her up, and tried to put her on a plant, but she just couldn’t grip the plant or my hand. She was also quite slow, and very cautious of everything. If I tried to put her on any surface that wasn’t either heavily textured or parallel to the ground, she would fall off onto her back. Since I know lethargy and having a hard time gripping things are classic symptoms of old age in spiders, I decided to take her in. I’ve had fair amount of experience with Jumping Spiders of all ages, so I knew I’d be able to give her the best care possible. I really just wanted to make her feel as safe and secure, and give her a good last week-month. I set up her terrarium with dried leaves, birch bark, and dried sphagnum moss (to mimic the fall season here, and so that she had stuff to grip), and she’s doing well! I’ve handled her a bit, both yesterday and today, and she’s very tame and chill. She seems to be a female Regal Jumping Spider, although her reds are hard to see in this pic. Everyone, meet Amber!

I decided to make my PFP Amber because why not? I’m thrilled to have a PFP of a spider I actually keep (pr have kept)

 

[JasperTheSpooder]

Just got a fruit fly culture for her and upgraded her terrarium a bit!

 

[ThatsUnpossible]

That was kind of you

That's a great pic of her, too. She looks right at home in that set up. I hope she'll be around for a while yet and gets to enjoy her care home