How to care for Jumping Spider Pet & Jumping Spider Food

Jumping spiders are becoming increasingly popular as pets due to how deeply interesting they truly are. With great agility, brilliant colors, and a desire to explore everything around them, these tiny arachnids provide a pet experience that is simply mesmeric. Unlike other pets, the jumping spiders manage to keep their keepers amused with cute and funny favorite antics that they love to perform and show off their best abilities. Keeping a jumping spider as a pet might sound interesting to many; however, this is an experience that comes with its own set of challenges.

We want to make sure to set up a perfect home for our jumping spider, as keeping them happy and healthy starts with a well-kept environment. They won’t need anything too huge in space, but rather should be as close to nature as possible. That involves the provision of vertical climbing space, substrate that will hold humidity, and keeping the temperature correct. Picking a good breeder is important because they provide healthy spiders and can offer advice on their care. Knowing how to feed, handle, and interact with your spider will help you get a nice bond with your new pet and make it an enjoyable and fun experience.

Building the Perfect habitat jumping spider pet

Designing a suitable enclosure for a pet jump spider is crucial for your spider’s survival and health. While the spiders themselves are low maintenance, their enclosures need to be as similar to nature as possible.

• Type and Dimensions of Enclosure

Jumping spiders don’t require a very large enclosure. One small-sized terrarium or some well-perforated plastic containers can work well. For most species, a 5- to 10-gallon tank is adequate. The enclosure should be well-sealed because jumping spiders are amazingly adept at slipping through minuscule cracks.

• Substrate and Furnishings

The substrate in the enclosure should help maintain necessary humidity levels. Popular materials are coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, or a mix of both. It should retain moisture well without being too wet, as that would be uncomfortable for the spider.

Vertical structures are other ideal things to have in the enclosure, as jumping spiders are well known for their love of climbing. Among the popular vertical structures are branches, rocks, and artificial plants. These give something to the spider to do and allow it to exercise intentional behavioral patterns.

• Temperature and Humidity

If you want your jumping spider to be happy, maintain proper temperature and humidity. For the most part, species do best if kept around 70-80°F with a humidity of 50-60%. Generally, this can be supplemented by maintaining the room temperature and by misting the container once a week.

• Lighting

While no special lighting is required, artificial or natural lighting is a great way to develop their circadian rhythm to the day/night cycle. To do so employ either direct sunlight or a low wattage power-efficient bulb to simulate the effect; however, never let the sunlight hit the enclosure, as this can quickly overheat the spider.

Jumping spider pet price

Average Price Range

Common Species: 

• Bold Jumping Spider: $10 to $30.
• Regal Jumping Spider: $15 to $35.
• Zebra Jumping Spider: $10 to $25.

Rarer or Larger Species

•  Hyllus giganteus: Larger in size, this species is usually more expensive, often falling within the bracket of $30-$60 dollars.
• Peacock Jumping Spider  (Maratus spp.): By nature colorful, these jumping spiders are kept less as pets. Prices start from around $50 up to over $100 dollars, depending on the species itself and demand.

Exotic or Unusual Species:

• Exotic species or those that are less common, such as the Plexippus paykulli or any other rare type, can range anywhere from $20 to $50 or more, considering its availability.

Factors Affecting the Price

• Age: Younger spiders, specifically spiderlings, are relatively cheaper compared to their fully grown adult version. On the other hand, adult spiders are preferred by most first-timers since they are more manageable.
• Sex: Sometimes, with some species, females are more expensive since they live longer and are larger, hence more desirable for keeping jumping spiders as pets.
• Breeder vs. Pet Store: Buying directly from a jumping spider breeder might be a little more expensive but often ensures a healthier spider. The pet store might offer lower prices, but the quality and health of the spiders can vary.
• Shipping Costs: If you are buying a pet jumping spider pet online, make sure you add the delivery cost, which is around $10 to $30 depending on where you are and the method of shipping that the seller will use.

Jumping spider pet breeder

First, you have to find a reputable breeder if you want to raise a jumping spider pet. In return, such breeders are very important in helping you get healthy spiders by advising you upon queries regarding care, species selection, and breeding issues. Finding a reputable jumping spider pet breeder will be the key to beginning your journey as an arachnid keeper.

With a well-read and responsible breeder, you get a healthy, ethically sourced, well-cared-for new pet. Take your time doing your research, asking questions, and choosing a breeder based on your expectations. You will then be well on your way to enjoying the fascinating world of jumping spiders.

Why Buy from a Breeder?

Ethical Considerations: When purchasing from a breeder, you are helping to conserve natural populations and promoting ethical animal husbandry by not taking the spider from the wild.

Health Assurance: Many breeders go to great extents to raise their spiders, which will be healthy and devoid of any types of diseases or parasites. Species Availability: It will be possible for the breeder to avail a wide array of species, possibly including those which are not easily found in the wild or even in pet stores.

Knowledge and Support: A good breeder will have extensive knowledge regarding the care, feeding, and behavior of the spiders they sell. They can also offer ongoing support if you have any questions or issues regarding your spider.

What to Look for in a Reputable Breeder

• Transparency

They should be very open about the methods they have employed in breeding, and health concerns of the spiders they offer. Therefore, they should provide information on the age of the spider, its sex, and the care requirements.

• Experience and Knowledge

 Find breeders with many years of experience rearing and breeding jumping spiders. He or she should be confident and clear in his answers to your questions and detailed in giving the specific care instructions.

• Health Guarantees

Some breeders may have health guarantees wherein the spider would be free of any illness or parasites upon buying. They may also have a return or exchange policy just in case there are problems with the quality of the spider when it arrives.

• Customer Reviews

Review or check the testimonials about people who have bought from them before. Good communication about the breeder, the quality of spiders, and the quality of service is a good choice.

• Proper Care of Spiders

 If possible, observe how the breeder has their spiders housed. Clean, well-maintained enclosures and proper food and humidity level go a long way in showing the breeder takes care of their spiders.

Questions to Ask a Breeder

• What species do you currently have available?
• Can you provide care sheets or guidance for the species I’m interested in?
• How old are the spiders and how can I determine their sex?
• Do you offer any type of guarantee regarding the health of the spiders?
• How/what is the cost to ship the spiders?

Types of pet jumping spiders

The moment one introduces a jumping spider pet into their home or office, the most crucial thing is selecting one that will suit their needs. While the family Salticidae has a variety-thousands of different species-some are highly recommendable owing to their temperament, their level of care, and fascinating behaviors. 

Some of the best species have proven beneficial to both novices and experienced keepers. With their size, disposition, and overall attractiveness, Phidippus regius and P. audax are two of the best pet jumping spiders to be considered for the majority of hobbyists out there. 

Several other species are also offered, including Salticus scenicus and Hyllus diardi, which can be of interest with different tastes. When looking into the investment of a jumping spider, criteria such as size, care needs, and interactivity levels should be put into consideration. However, any of these species can truly make a fascinating and rewarding pet.

Giant jumping spiders are impressive to keep and observe because of their size and behaviors. Species like Hyllus diardi, Phidippus regius, and Hyllus giganteus will give you a good range of size and character to suit your preferences. With proper habitat and care, with only minimum handling, you get to enjoy the unique presence of such an impressive arachnid.

1.Phidippus regius (Regal Jumping Spider Pet)

• Why They’re Cool Pets: Phidippus regius is one of the most popular jumping spiders in the pet trade, and it is a species with good reason. They have quite a fascinating appearance—females will don bright orange, red, or white markings on their bodies, while males will have emphatic black and white patterns, often with iridescent chelicerae. Habitually larger in size than most species so that they are easier to handle and view.

• General Temperament: Docile and inquisitive, easy to handle and rarely aggressive, perfect for beginners.

• Care Requirements: A basic enclosure setup for Phidippus regius requires some vertical space for climbing. They will do just fine at room temperature, with moderate humidity, and enjoy eating small insects, such as crickets or fruit flies.

2. Phidippus audax (Bold Jumping Spider Pet)

• Why it’s a great pet: Another favorite is Phidippus audax, which has a black body with white or orange spots on the abdomen and iridescent green or blue chelicerae. Also known for their “bold” behavior, they may be quite inquisitive toward their surroundings and human caretakers.

• Temperament: Phidippus audax lives up to its name. They are bold and quickly learn not to be afraid of you. They have usually been handled without problem and are fairly mellow.
• Care Requirements: Phidippus audax has similar housing needs to Phidippus regius. These spiders do very well with adequately simple setups that offer climbing opportunities and a somewhat contained temperature between 70-80°F (21-27°C). It is easy to feed Phidippus audax as they eat small insects.

3. Salticus scenicus (Zebra Jumping Spider)

• Why It’s a Great Pet: The zebra jumping spider, Salticus scenicus, is beautifully colored with black and white stripes. Despite their small size, these little creatures are very active and interactive, which makes them very fun to watch.

• Temperament: They are quite skittish and fast and like to jump around a lot. They are definitely not as docile as some of the other species, but they are good to manage, which will give lots of fun.

• Care Required: The species of this kind likes it a bit cooler and could be held in a smaller terrarium enclosure because of its size. They feed on small insects—the example typical being fruit flies.

4. Hyllus diardi (White-spectacled Jumping Spider)

• Why It’s a Great Pet: Hyllus diardi is a large jumper, robust in size, and hairy-looking. They are typically tan or brown but are quite docile, so they are a favorite for many who enjoy the larger, more “meaty” spider.

• Temperament: This species is generally much more docile and less skittish at jumping than the aforementioned Hyllus diardi. As such, it is recommended for individuals who desire their spiders to be insufferable enough regarding handling.

• Care Requirements: A slightly larger enclosure and more vertical space for climbing. They do great at ambient temperature and feeding on appropriately sized insects.

5. Arched Jumping Spider

• Why They Are Great Pets: The Evarcha arcuata are smaller species of spiders, possessing exceptional atypical coloration patterns, often having bright orange or red colors. This species can be very interesting to keep for those who find arachnid courtship interesting.

• Temperament: Calm and curious, relatively easy to care for, and—particularly when displaying mating behaviors—very interesting to study and watch.

• Care Level: It does great with approximate standard room temperatures. It does well with relatively moderate humidity and does great in a moderately sized enclosure with some naturalistic elements, like twigs and leaves, added.

6. Peckhamia picata (Picata Jumping Spider)

• Why It’s a Great Pet: While less common in the pet trade, this species is valued for both its unique body shape and small size. Peckhamia picata is perfect for those who want a more dainty and less mainstream spider.

• Temperament: They are docile and really rather inactive, thus ideal for those who would like a spider that does not demand much commotion.

• Care Level: Small, simple cage with ventilation is fine. They quickly adapt and do great at room temperature on the cooler side; food for them consists of appropriate size prey such as fruit flies.

How long do jumping spiders live

Jumping spiders generally have different lifespans depending on species, sex, and environmental conditions. Compared to many pets, jumping spiders usually have rather short life spans, ranging from approximately 1 to 3 years. However, knowing what your particular species of choice needs, and following through with proper care, you are assured that jumping spiders could live a complete and healthy life.

General Life Span

Small to Medium-Sized Jumping Spiders:

• Life-span: Normally 1 – 2 years.
• Examples: Phidippus audax, Salticus scenicus, etc.

Large Jumping Spiders:

• Life-span: Usually ranges around 1 to 3 years
• Examples: Large species, like Phidippus regius or Hyllus diardi show a relatively longer life span compared to the smaller one

Factors that Determine the Life Span

• Species: Life-span of these spiders varies among species. A specific spider species that survives only for 1 year and dies, another one within the same species’ gamut may live a life of more than 3 years.
• Sex: In most spider species, females tend to live longer. This is explained by the fact that males of most species commonly engage in courtship displays and dominance battles, which are essentially riskier behaviors that may reduce the lifespan of an individual.
• Environmental Conditions: These range from diet to temperature, humidity, and the state of the enclosure-all of which is critical to the jumping spider’s life expectancy. Good care can greatly boost their life expectancy.
• Healthy: Spiders with diseases or parasitized, or which are kept in worse conditions, die sooner. Proper care in an environment and health management can assure them of quality living under a long life span.

What do jumping spiders eat?

Jumping spiders are carnivorous, mainly feeding on small living insects and other tiny invertebrates. Food is a critical component in their system, as it provides the fundamental ingredients necessary for growth, energy, and reproduction. 

Jumping spiders are meant to live on a diet of small-sized insects, alive, which can deliver them the needed proteins and nutrients. In this case, by offering a varied diet and ensuring that its size is proper for the prey, you will be aiding your jumping spider pet with health and well-being. Regular feeding will help, along with proper care, in keeping your spider vital and preserving natural behaviors.

Now let’s take a closer look at what jumping spiders eat;

Primary Foods 

1. Fruit Flies 

•  Description: Small flying insects that usually serve as a staple food for baby jumping spider pets and spiderlings.
• Nutritional Value: They provide necessary proteins and fats.

2. Crickets

• Description: Small crickets, such as pinhead crickets, are readily available for feeding.
• Nutritional Value: They are rich in protein, among other nutritional values. They should be of size according to the size of the spider.

3. Small Moths

• Description: Small moths or any other flying insects are also among their potential prey.
• Nutritional Value: They provide a diet variation and also stimulate natural hunting instincts.

4. Beetles

• Description: Small beetles or their larvae can also be fed to jumping spider pets.
• Nutritional Value: They have the right amount of proteins to keep your spider stock healthy.

5. Mealworms

• Description: These are beetles’ larvae or baby beetles, and are sometimes fed to spiders.
• Nutritional Value: Good content of proteins and fats but again, you do not need to feed them too much since they are high in fats.

Occasional Foods

1. Aphids

• Description: The aphids are small-bodied and tender insects, which is pretty easy for any spider to overpower them.
• Nutritional Value: They provide good nutritional value, but again this will not be their only source of food.

2. Springtails

• Description: Small, usually wingless insects, which can be found almost everywhere, mostly in humid environments.
• Nutritional Value: Valuable for small spiders, gives variety.

Feeding Practices

1. Size of Prey: Size of the prey should be on par with the size of the spider. As a general rule, the prey shouldn’t be larger than the length of the spider’s body.

2. Feeding Frequency: The general rule for feeding jumping spider pets is every 2-3 days, but for spiderlings or juvenile spiders, they have to be fed more often. Adjust feeding frequency by the size and age of the spider, including its activity level.

3. Hunting Behavior: Jumping spider pets are active hunters. They love to chase and catch live prey. They have great eyesight, which they use to follow their food around and pounce on it.

4. Supplemental Feeding: Feeding different types of prey from time to time will ensure a vitamin-rich diet for your spider and help avoid nutritional deficiency.

5. Water: Jumping spider pets do not need a water dish, but light misting inside their enclosure can be availed for moisture purposes. Some get water from their food, too.

Avoid

1. Pests: Insects are also exposed to some pesticides or chemicals; avoid feeding those insects to them.

2. Overfeeding: Overfeeding may cause obesity, and this can lead to other health problems.

3. Dead Prey: Although some spiders are not choosy, they may eat prey that is already dead, but generally, the preferred choice is live insects since these trigger natural hunting instincts.

Are jumping spiders friendly?

Jumping spider pet  are generally reputative for being engaging and curious little arachnids, described by many as “friendly” compared to other spider groups. 

Whilst jumping spider pets are not “friendly”, they are not aggressive and are very curious creatures. For their size, they are readily engaging or even attractive in nature. Knowledge of their behavior, careful handling tends to increase your experience in forming a good relationship with these fascinating arachnids.

Jumping spider pet behavior

• Curiosity: Jumping spider pets are inquisitive in nature, highly interested in their environment, and can learn much about their general surrounding environment; they often interact with their human keepers. This aspect of curiosity makes them more interesting and friendly towards human observers.

• Nonaggressive: Generally speaking, jumping spider pets are not normally very aggressive towards humans. They would always like to run away or hide rather than stand and fight. Their small size and great diffidence are among the traits that make them “friendly” pets.

• Handling: Many jumping spider pets will tolerate mild handling, quite possibly a learned skill for specimens that are accustomed to human contact from an early age. They will often simply crawl onto the hand and arm and proceed to explore, yet some care should always be taken in handling not to stress or inadvertently injure the spider.

Jumping spider pet  specific behavior

Docile Species:  Regal Jumping Spider, and Bold Jumping Spider. These are good species for beginners. These species are more likely to display docile behavior and tolerate handling better.

More Shy Species: Some species are more reclusive or flighty, such as Zebra Jumping Spider. These will be the species you will see less of and not too quick to approach you.

Jumping spider pet Interaction Tips

• Minimize Stress: Keep your jumping spider pet happy by not handling it too much and making abrupt movements that might scare it. Provide it with stable conditions with minimal changes or disruptions.

• Proper Handling: Allow the jumping spider pet to crawl onto your hand rather than picking it up. Handle it carefully, and make sure the environment is safe in case the spider jumps onto the ground.

• Observation: Many jumping spider pets are great to watch, and watching their natural behaviors can be just as rewarding as direct interaction. Of particular note are hunting and web-building behaviors.

Conclusion

Jumping spiders make great pets, with a combination of intelligence, agility, and personality. Their curious and non-aggressive nature makes these small spiders fascinating pets for both new and experienced pet owners. The appropriate habitat for the particular type of spider species, understanding dietary and environmental needs, assures a successful experience. 

These tiny arachnids, such as Regal Jumping Spider pet and Bold Jumping Spider pet, are amazing and rewarding addition to a house and could be considered great for anybody taking their first steps into the hobby of keeping exotic pets.

FAQs

Where to buy jumping spiders?

You can find jumping spiders from reputable breeders that deal with arachnids or occasionally in specialty pet stores. Always make sure you are buying from a source that is giving you healthy, well-cared-for spiders.

How big do jumping spiders get?

Jumping spiders generally range in size from approximately 0.2 to 1 inch, depending on the species. Some larger species can grow as big as 1.5 inches.

Are jumping spiders smart?

Yes, jumping spiders are very intelligent for their size. They have excellent eyesight, can learn to remember the layout of their surroundings, and show complex hunting and problem-solving behaviors.

What does a jumping spider eat?

Jumping spiders primarily feed on small insects like fruit flies, crickets, and beetles. They prefer live prey as it provokes their hunting instincts.

Are jumping spiders good pets?

Yes, jumping spiders can make good pets as they are curious yet low-maintenance animals. They can be very interesting to watch, with behaviors that are often very endearing and much more interactive than many other arachnids.

Do jumping spiders eat ants?

Yes, jumping spiders feed on ants, primarily small ones. They generally like insects that are living, which they can easily hunt and catch.

Do jumping spiders like humans?

Jumping spiders have no feelings as human individuals have, but they may get used to or be inquisitive about the human carer. They often interact with people out of curiosity, not affection.