Jumping Spider Pet – Which Things to Consider!

How would it be amazing to have a pair of jumping spiders, super-smart jumpers, at your home? Does it sound great or not? If so, you’ve landed at the perfect place where you’ll be able to choose your special jumping spider as a pet. Basically, there are approximately 6000 known species of jumping spiders in the world, making it difficult to choose the right furry friend.

Jumping spiders are also known for their excellent eyesight, quick movement, pro egg-laying ability, and stunning colors. Apart from these remarkable abilities, jumping spiders have a friendly nature, compelling every person to keep them as pets. In addition, they require little care, but the more you take care of them the more they survive, because their age ranges from 6 months to 3 years.

Keeping a jumping spider as a pet will not only enhance the beauty of your home but also provide you with an amazing experience of this spectacular creature. Hence, if you’re the one looking for the best jumping spider, and are confused due to their diversity in colors, nature, and others, we’re here to assist you in making your decision easily. Let’s get started!

Why Choose Jumping Spiders as Pets?

Here are the top 5 reasons to keep them as pets at your home:

• Fascinating Behavior

Jumping Spider’s Behavior attracts millions of enthusiasts, because every jumping spider can jump 50 times higher than its actual body size. Moreover, one of the main things is that they don’t use their webs to capture their prey, they use their jumps to catch their prey, making them unique from the other spiders. They have sharp eyesight, helping them remain safe from their predators.

• Low Maintenance

Fundamentally, Jumping Spider pet species require minimal care as compared to other pet species, making them a premier choice for every person. As they are small in size, they don’t need a huge place to live. Likewise, one of the amazing facts about these spiders is that they can easily survive more than a week without taking food.

• Enticing Appearance

When it comes to the appearance of jumping spiders, they are the most charming species around the globe, because they have eight eyes and eight legs, providing them with sharp eyesight and jumping power respectively. They also differ in their colors, sizes, habits, patterns, and others, adding an enthralling look to your house if you keep them as pets.

• Safe and Harmless

Most people think that they may harm like other species, but they are deadly wrong here, because they are friendly species, and don’t harm humans. Although they have venom for catching their prey, the venom is harmless to humans. In addition, they don’t have any kinds of viruses and bacteria that cause allergic reactions in humans.

• Rapid Adapting Abilities

Since there are 6000 species of jumping spiders that you can choose from to keep any species as a pet. But all have different abilities and nature, because some spiders are peaceful, some are shy, and others. One of the most admirable things is that you can choose any species and train it according to your preference by interacting with it.

How To Choose a Jumping Spider as a Pet? 5 Factors

When choosing a jumping spider as pet, you must consider the following factors:

1. Species

Before choosing any species, you must read our detailed guide on 50 Unique Kinds of Jumping Spiders which will help you a lot to choose the most compatible species. All you need to do is just to select the species which suits best your preference and convenience.

2. Health

When it comes to choosing jumping spiders, considering health factors are the most important ones. You must choose a spider who looks active, has alert eyes, and has vibrant color, because these types of spiders can live long. Injured or abnormal spiders can cause inconvenience, because caring for them will require a lot of your time.

3. Size

There are 6000 species of jumping spiders, ranging from 0.2 inches to 0.98 inches in size. Some species are smaller in size and some are larger in size; likewise, some are delicate and some are compact in nature. So, before choosing your new companion, you must consider the size factor, because providing a spacious place is the main element when keeping these spiders as pets.

4. Activity Level

To notice their activity level, you’ll have to observe the spider that you aspire to buy. You must focus on their jumping ability, eyesight ability, and others to choose the best jumping spider as a pet. The active and energetic spider can be a better pet than the sluggish spider. So, you are recommended to observe their activities before selecting or buying your favorite one.

5. Compatibility

Suppose you’re about to buy multiple species of jumping spiders, and want to keep them in the same cage. So, you’ll have to see their compatibility whether all these species are compatible with one another or not. If they’re not compatible with one another, they can harm one another. In addition, you must also check their compatibility with you, because all spiders have different natures, so choose the one that best suits your nature.

Jumping Spiders Pet Price – Jumping Spider for Sale

As you know there are thousands of Jumping Spiders, we’re unable to share the price of every spider, that’s why there are the prices of some jumping spiders.

Note: These prices may vary from store to store, so we recommend you check the prices of your favorite jumping spider from multiple online stores.

How To Setup Habitat for Jumping Spider Pets?

After buying jumping spiders, the crucial point is to set a lifeful habitat for their proper growth and well-being. By providing a compatible habitat, you can easily enhance the lifespan of jumping spiders up to 3 years. 

Follow these guide on jumping spider pet habitat:

Enclosure

Choose a small, airy, clean, and secure house for your pretty pets that not only provides them with a cozy environment but also an entertaining atmosphere. We recommend you add a layer of substrate such as coconut fiber, vermiculite, and others which help you prevent your spiders from viral and bacterial infections.

Structure and Decor

As these spiders can jump, you’ll have to add some climbing structures such as sticks, ropes, and others in their house. Apart from these structures, you can add some stones, silk plants, bark pieces, etc, to provide them with a place like a jungle. You can add artificial plants to provide them with a lifeful environment.

Other Compulsories

In Jumping Spider pet house, you can add artificial lights instead of natural sunlight, because they don’t need sunlight. Likewise, water is compulsory for every living thing, so you must add some water sources to their house. Finally, we recommend you keep their cage in a room with temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C) and humidity around 50-60%.

Feeding and Diet

Jumping spiders are carnivorous and feed on live insects and other small animals. They have excellent vision and superb hunting skills and can catch their prey by jumping, stalking, or ambushing. They use their fangs to deliver venom and digestive enzymes that liquefy their prey and then slurp up the fluid.

Here are some of the things you need to know about feeding your jumping spider:

Prey items. The prey items should be suitable for your spider’s size and appetite. They should also be healthy, clean, and free of any diseases or pesticides. You can use a variety of insects, such as flies, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, beetles, or spiders. You can also use other small animals, such as worms, larvae, or snails. You can buy or catch your prey items, but make sure they are fresh and alive.

Feeding frequency. The feeding frequency depends on your spider’s age, size, and activity level. Younger and smaller spiders need to eat more often than older and larger spiders. Active and hungry spiders need to eat more often than inactive and full spiders. A general rule of thumb is that you should feed your spider once every two or three days or whenever it shows signs of hunger, such as roaming, jumping, or attacking the enclosure walls.

Feeding method. The feeding method is how you introduce the prey items to your spider. You can use tweezers, a stick, or your fingers to gently place the prey items near your spider or let them loose in the enclosure. You can also use a feeder dish, a bottle cap, or a piece of paper to contain the prey items and prevent them from escaping or hiding. You should watch your spider as it feeds and remove any uneaten or dead prey items after a few hours.

Handling Tips

Jumping spiders are generally harmless and docile and can be handled with care and caution. However, handling is not necessary or recommended, as it can stress or injure your spider, or expose you to its venom or bacteria. If you decide to handle your spider, you must follow the given steps:

Wash your hands. Before and after handling your spider, you should wash your hands with soap and water. It will prevent any dirt, oils, or chemicals from harming your spider or any venom, saliva, or feces from harming you.

Be gentle. Handle your spider gently and softly, and avoid squeezing, pinching, or dropping it. You should also avoid touching its eyes, mouth, or abdomen, as these are very sensitive and delicate areas.

Use a surface. Use a flat and smooth surface, such as a table, a book, or a piece of paper, to handle your spider. You should let your spider walk or jump on the surface and guide it with your hands or fingers. You should not hold your spider in the air, as it can fall or jump off and get hurt.

Be prepared. Be prepared for any possible outcomes when handling your spider, such as biting, jumping, or escaping. It is wise to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong, such as a container, a net, or a glove. You should also be calm, self assured and not panic or scream. Remember, your spider is more afraid of you than you are of it.

Health and Common Issues

Jumping spiders are generally healthy and hardy and can live for up to two years in captivity. However, they can still suffer from some health issues, such as dehydration, infection, injury, or molting problems. Here are some tips on how to prevent and treat these issues:

Dehydration. Dehydration is the most common and serious health issue for jumping spiders. It can cause lethargy, loss of appetite, shriveled abdomen, and death. To prevent dehydration, you should provide your spider with a few drops of water every day, either on the substrate, the enclosure walls, or a cotton ball. You should also avoid exposing your spider to direct sunlight, heat, or dry air.

Infection. Infection can occur when your spider gets wounded by its prey, its enclosure, or your handling. It can cause swelling, pus, or necrosis (tissue death) in the affected area. To prevent infection, you should keep your spider’s enclosure clean and free of any sharp or dirty objects. You should also disinfect any wounds with a diluted antiseptic solution, such as iodine or hydrogen peroxide.

Injury. Injury can happen when your spider falls, jumps, or gets crushed by its enclosure, its prey, or your handling. It can cause bleeding, broken legs, or missing body parts. To prevent injury, you should make sure your spider’s enclosure is secure and stable and has enough padding and cushioning. You should also handle your spider gently and carefully and avoid dropping or squeezing it.

Molting problems. Molting is the process which a spider discards its old outer covering and forms a new one. It is a natural and necessary part of your spider’s growth and development. However, it can also be a stressful and risky time, as your spider becomes vulnerable and immobile. To prevent molting problems, you should provide your spider with a humid and dark environment and avoid disturbing or feeding it during this period. You should also remove any old exoskeletons or molted skins from the enclosure, as they can harbor bacteria or parasites.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Jumping spiders have a complex and fascinating life cycle, which involves several stages and behaviors. Here is a brief overview of how jumping spiders reproduce and grow:

Mating. Jumping spiders mate by performing elaborate courtship rituals, which involve visual and vibrational signals, such as waving their legs, displaying their fangs, or drumming their abdomen. The male spider also offers the female spider a gift, such as a wrapped insect or a silk ball, to entice her and avoid being eaten. If the female spider accepts the male spider, they mate by inserting their pedipalps (modified appendages) into the female spider’s epigyne (genital opening).

Egg laying. After mating, the female spider lays a clutch of eggs, usually between 10 and 100 days, depending on the species. She wraps the eggs in a silk cocoon and attaches them to a safe and hidden place, such as under a leaf, a rock, or a bark. She then guards the eggs until they hatch, which can take from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the temperature and humidity.

Hatching. When the eggs hatch, the baby spiders called spiderlings emerge from the cocoon. They are very small, pale, and soft and look like miniature versions of their parents. They stay with their mother for a few days, feeding on her milk or the remains of the egg sac. Then, they disperse by ballooning, which is a process of using their silk to catch the wind and move away.

Growth. As the spiderlings grow, they undergo several molts, which are the shedding of their old exoskeleton and the formation of a new one. Each molt is called an instar, and the number of instars varies from species to species, ranging from 5 to 12. During each instar, the spiderlings develop more features, such as colors, patterns, and sexual organs. They also become more independent and start hunting for their food.

Adulthood. When the spiderlings reach their final instar, they become adults and are ready to mate and reproduce. The adult stage is the longest and most active stage of their life cycle and can last from a few months to a few years, depending on the species and the environment. During this stage, the spiders explore, hunt, and interact with other spiders and display their full personality and intelligence.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, keeping jumping spiders as pets not only provides a stunning experience of watching them interact, jump, and eat but also amplifies the beauty of your house. One of the admirable things is that they require low maintenance which compels millions of spider enthusiasts to keep them as pets.

We recommend you buy your favorite spider that suits your mood and nature, because keeping friendly spiders will provide you with an extraordinary experience. Finally, read our entire guide from the start and buy your favorite jumping spider by following our pro tips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions that potential or current spider owners might want to know:

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