thoughts on handling jumping spiders?

[handfulofspiders]

i have 3 p.regius that i love to death, but i was curious on what people’s thoughts were on handling/letting them wander in a controlled environment? i normally let them do this, one roughly every few days when they’re interested. i just sit next to the enclosure and leave the door open and wait to see if they come out, if they don’t i close it and go about my day! but most of the time they come out and look around, crawl on my stuff and sometimes my hand, etc.
does anyone regularly handle their spiders? or do u not recommend doing this? i know with tarantulas they shouldn’t really be handled, just wondering if it was the same for jumping spiders as well!

 

[Biollantefan54]

I think if you are letting them climb out on their own and it’s a safe environment, no harm there. Jumping spiders are super curious! When I’m outside and I find a jumping spider, I’ll handle it and it’ll jump from hand to hand and then I’ll let it hop back on a plant when it’s ready. I wouldn’t say they like it but I don’t think it’ll cause any harm.

 

[handfulofspiders]

I think if you are letting them climb out on their own and it’s a safe environment, no harm there. Jumping spiders are super curious! When I’m outside and I find a jumping spider, I’ll handle it and it’ll jump from hand to hand and then I’ll let it hop back on a plant when it’s ready. I wouldn’t say they like it but I don’t think it’ll cause any harm.

thanks for the response! i think they at the very least don’t hate it..LOL

 

[basin79]

The only spider I feel actually get something out of being handled. As in having time out of their enclosures for enrichment. I used to hold my hand out and the vast majority of the time if they were out and about they'd jump onto my hand. From there you can see them look around at the "new" environment.

 

[Lucky123]

i have 3 p.regius that i love to death, but i was curious on what people’s thoughts were on handling/letting them wander in a controlled environment? i normally let them do this, one roughly every few days when they’re interested. i just sit next to the enclosure and leave the door open and wait to see if they come out, if they don’t i close it and go about my day! but most of the time they come out and look around, crawl on my stuff and sometimes my hand, etc.
does anyone regularly handle their spiders? or do u not recommend doing this? i know with tarantulas they shouldn’t really be handled, just wondering if it was the same for jumping spiders as well!

Dont worry, as long as you do it in a safe way and be sure the spiders won't be harmed, it is perfectly fine , one thing to look out for is rinse your hands off first dont use soap because some scents such as essential oils can be harmful to the jumping spiders, it is probably ok but better to be safe then sorry.

 

[Nicole C G]

As long as you keep in mind the temper of you jumper! I’ve met jumpers that will gladly jump onto my hand and just walk around, others that run 100,000mph away, and others that walk slowly, but refuse to jump onto your hand. I’ve even had jumping spiders that wanted to stay on my hand, and refuse to jump on the leaf or branch I try puting them on. So if you know they are fast and want to escape, don’t ever try handling them. If they are mellow, it probably benefits them! A time to stretch their legs, see new sights, interact with you in an adorable way! For handling, I recommend doing it close to the ground, and with a brightly colored towel or blanket underneath to break their fall. Make sure it’s the opposite color of the spider. Also, have a small container on hand ALWAYS! To scoop them up if needed. I’ve almost lost mine once while rehousing because I decided to do it on a brown bag when she is brown!! Worst idea.. lol.

 

[Lucky123]

As long as you keep in mind the temper of you jumper! I’ve met jumpers that will gladly jump onto my hand and just walk around, others that run 100,000mph away, and others that walk slowly, but refuse to jump onto your hand. I’ve even had jumping spiders that wanted to stay on my hand, and refuse to jump on the leaf or branch I try puting them on. So if you know they are fast and want to escape, don’t ever try handling them. If they are mellow, it probably benefits them! A time to stretch their legs, see new sights, interact with you in an adorable way! For handling, I recommend doing it close to the ground, and with a brightly colored towel or blanket underneath to break their fall. Make sure it’s the opposite color of the spider. Also, have a small container on hand ALWAYS! To scoop them up if needed. I’ve almost lost mine once while rehousing because I decided to do it on a brown bag when she is brown!! Worst idea.. lol.

good tips

 

[Realregallover]

i have 3 p.regius that i love to death, but i was curious on what people’s thoughts were on handling/letting them wander in a controlled environment? i normally let them do this, one roughly every few days when they’re interested. i just sit next to the enclosure and leave the door open and wait to see if they come out, if they don’t i close it and go about my day! but most of the time they come out and look around, crawl on my stuff and sometimes my hand, etc.
does anyone regularly handle their spiders? or do u not recommend doing this? i know with tarantulas they shouldn’t really be handled, just wondering if it was the same for jumping spiders as well!

We handle alot of Regals and we do leave them wonder around from time to time and they seem to just want to hang out. If they do wonder off they will show themselves sooner or later (if you are watching that is). Regallover notes: They love the attention. Handle away! Wash hands before handling, due to oils on your hands that could clog their web pores on their feet.

 

[Edan bandoot]

We handle alot of Regals and we do leave them wonder around from time to time and they seem to just want to hang out. If they do wonder off they will show themselves sooner or later (if you are watching that is). Regallover notes: They love the attention. Handle away! Wash hands before handling, due to oils on your hands that could clog their web pores on their feet.

What exactly is a web pore

 

[Realregallover]

What exactly is a web pore

These are what keeps the Regal sticking to walls. While they get clogged they don't produce the webbing to keep them attached. This is why you see them cleaning their feet alot after handling.

 

[Nicole C G]

These are what keeps the Regal sticking to walls. While they get clogged they don't produce the webbing to keep them attached. This is why you see them cleaning their feet alot after handling.

Their feet don’t produce silk. Only their silk glands and it comes out to their spinnerettes. The way they stick to walls is through the tiny hairs on their feet I’m pretty sure.

 

[Edan bandoot]

Their feet don’t produce silk. Only their silk glands and it comes out to their spinnerettes. The way they stick to walls is through the tiny hairs on their feet I’m pretty sure.

Don't forget the claws for porous surfaces

 

[chibicricket]

I have the enclosure for my oldest regal, Eevee, on my desk (I work from home). I usually just open the little door and let her walk around so long as I'm able to keep an eye on her. She never goes far, sometimes just walks to the top of her enclosure and does her little arm waves at me. I can hand feed her too. I don't see any harm, so long as you're not grabbing at them or stressing them out. I don't know if it's just me personifying them, but it does seem like mine do like human interaction. Even the wild ones outside by my pool come right up to me and will do that cute little head turn to look at me.

 

[Jumper]

We handle alot of Regals and we do leave them wonder around from time to time and they seem to just want to hang out. If they do wonder off they will show themselves sooner or later (if you are watching that is). Regallover notes: They love the attention. Handle away! Wash hands before handling, due to oils on your hands that could clog their web pores on their feet.

If I do wash my hands with soap. I smell my hands after drying. If there is any scent. I put on non-latex gloves.
Our eldest P.regius "Lorelei" somehow sees the gloves we throw on and knows that it is time to walk around.
She'll walk right up to our hand or fingers.

-Jumper

 

[handfulofspiders]

The only spider I feel actually get something out of being handled. As in having time out of their enclosures for enrichment. I used to hold my hand out and the vast majority of the time if they were out and about they'd jump onto my hand. From there you can see them look around at the "new" environment.

yes mine do this as well!! or just wave their little arms at everything, i don’t know exactly what for but it’s cute lol!

Dont worry, as long as you do it in a safe way and be sure the spiders won't be harmed, it is perfectly fine , one thing to look out for is rinse your hands off first dont use soap because some scents such as essential oils can be harmful to the jumping spiders, it is probably ok but better to be safe then sorry.

thanks so much for the tip, i’ll start doing this!!

As long as you keep in mind the temper of you jumper! I’ve met jumpers that will gladly jump onto my hand and just walk around, others that run 100,000mph away, and others that walk slowly, but refuse to jump onto your hand. I’ve even had jumping spiders that wanted to stay on my hand, and refuse to jump on the leaf or branch I try puting them on. So if you know they are fast and want to escape, don’t ever try handling them. If they are mellow, it probably benefits them! A time to stretch their legs, see new sights, interact with you in an adorable way! For handling, I recommend doing it close to the ground, and with a brightly colored towel or blanket underneath to break their fall. Make sure it’s the opposite color of the spider. Also, have a small container on hand ALWAYS! To scoop them up if needed. I’ve almost lost mine once while rehousing because I decided to do it on a brown bag when she is brown!! Worst idea.. lol.

thanks for the tips! i have had them jump away from me a couple times (onto carpet) but thankfully all of them crawl back onto my finger..i fear the day when they aren’t cooperative and run under something tho LOL

We handle alot of Regals and we do leave them wonder around from time to time and they seem to just want to hang out. If they do wonder off they will show themselves sooner or later (if you are watching that is). Regallover notes: They love the attention. Handle away! Wash hands before handling, due to oils on your hands that could clog their web pores on their feet.

oh i didn’t know that! i never realized how truly sensitive these little spiders are haha!

I have the enclosure for my oldest regal, Eevee, on my desk (I work from home). I usually just open the little door and let her walk around so long as I'm able to keep an eye on her. She never goes far, sometimes just walks to the top of her enclosure and does her little arm waves at me. I can hand feed her too. I don't see any harm, so long as you're not grabbing at them or stressing them out. I don't know if it's just me personifying them, but it does seem like mine do like human interaction. Even the wild ones outside by my pool come right up to me and will do that cute little head turn to look at me.

perhaps we are treating them like people cause i can’t help but think the same thing lol!

If I do wash my hands with soap. I smell my hands after drying. If there is any scent. I put on non-latex gloves.
Our eldest P.regius "Lorelei" somehow sees the gloves we throw on and knows that it is time to walk around.
She'll walk right up to our hand or fingers.

-Jumper

my little regal Chia seems to know as well! i have an exo terra for her and every time i go to unlock the door she’ll angle her little head down at me lmao!
i’ll be sure to be careful when washing my hands tho! thanks for the response!!

 

[chibicricket]

Just thought I'd add to this. This is one of her favorite spots at the moment. It's a little Funko Pop Cat Bumblebee (I am a beekeeper too). Which my 3 yr old calls my jumping jumping spiders "kitty bugs".

 

[Icey51115]

As long as you keep in mind the temper of you jumper! I’ve met jumpers that will gladly jump onto my hand and just walk around, others that run 100,000mph away, and others that walk slowly, but refuse to jump onto your hand. I’ve even had jumping spiders that wanted to stay on my hand, and refuse to jump on the leaf or branch I try puting them on. So if you know they are fast and want to escape, don’t ever try handling them. If they are mellow, it probably benefits them! A time to stretch their legs, see new sights, interact with you in an adorable way! For handling, I recommend doing it close to the ground, and with a brightly colored towel or blanket underneath to break their fall. Make sure it’s the opposite color of the spider. Also, have a small container on hand ALWAYS! To scoop them up if needed. I’ve almost lost mine once while rehousing because I decided to do it on a brown bag when she is brown!! Worst idea.. lol.

Apologies for dredging up an old thread, but I really appreciate this advice! I was curious about the same thing - tarantula handling doesn't bring anything good for the animal, but jumpers seems to independently seek out the enrichment and "enjoy" it (as much as a spider can "enjoy" something).

This said, I'm still a bit apprehensive about handling, just because I would hate to lose the poor thing (or have my cat find it or arachnophobic roommate get spooked by it). My plan was to only handle the jumper in the bathtub (if it wants to explore of course), with the bathroom door closed, so there are a couple levels of seperation from the rest of the house. Even though the jumper could climb the bathtub walls, I'd have some reaction time if did decide to bolt, and there'd be no crevices to crawl under (the drain would be covered of course!). The opposite colored blanket/towel is good advice! I also appreciate the advice about washing your hands but also making sure there aren't strong soaps or fragrances before handling.

 

[Nicole C G]

Apologies for dredging up an old thread, but I really appreciate this advice! I was curious about the same thing - tarantula handling doesn't bring anything good for the animal, but jumpers seems to independently seek out the enrichment and "enjoy" it (as much as a spider can "enjoy" something).

This said, I'm still a bit apprehensive about handling, just because I would hate to lose the poor thing (or have my cat find it or arachnophobic roommate get spooked by it). My plan was to only handle the jumper in the bathtub (if it wants to explore of course), with the bathroom door closed, so there are a couple levels of seperation from the rest of the house. Even though the jumper could climb the bathtub walls, I'd have some reaction time if did decide to bolt, and there'd be no crevices to crawl under (the drain would be covered of course!). The opposite colored blanket/towel is good advice! I also appreciate the advice about washing your hands but also making sure there aren't strong soaps or fragrances before handling.

Glad I can help. And also, I personally don’t mind people bringing up old conversations if there is more to be said. I can’t speak for others though, but they can just unfollow the thread. (Maybe don’t do it with one from years ago though)