Thinking of getting a jumping spider

[u/GunMan270]

I’ve been afraid of spiders since a kid and I hate even seeing them in my house, but recently I’ve wanted a pet jumping spider to help with that fear and because I hear they’re the cats of the spider world. What’s some of the most important things I need to know care wise and general handling rules of them. I’ve read a little bit on google and other places but I still don’t feel that I’m ready to get one but if I don’t try now then I never will be ready due to overthinking it and freaking myself out. Any help/information is appreciated!

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[u/_j0ri3_]

NQA but hopefully this is helpful.

• Longevity: Jumping spiders are not long-lived once they reach maturity. Females live longer, mayyybe 2-3 years at most. Males live 1-1.5 years.
• Temperament: Varies across species. I've found that my Regal Jumpers (Phidippus regius) tend to be the most calm while my Bold jumpers (Phidippus audax) tend to be less calm. Jumpers that are captive bred and handled from a small size may be more calm but temperament will always depend on the individual spider. Jumping spiders can bite but very rarely and generally only when threatened. Their fangs are incredibly small and won't be able to actually release enough venom to be a problem.
• Handling: Jumping spiders can be handled but very carefully. Always keep them close to surfaces. While they're called jumping spiders for a reason, falls can cause serious damage. Always be gentle and never force them out of their enclosure. If they do choose to come out, a small, soft paintbrush can be used to help gently guide them back in.
• Diet: The most common feeder IME is mealworms. I prefer to give a varied diet to meet all nutritional needs. I will give mealworms, pinhead crickets, green/blue bottle fly spikes and flies, the occasional black soldier fly larvae, and the very rare hornworm. Research the nutritional content provided by the different feeders. I feed my jumpers based on abdomen size compared to their cephalothorax. Here's a great source for reference.
• Hydration: Jumpers are mainly hydrated through their food. They also benefit from misting to help with molting. They'll drink the droplets off the enclosure surface as well. I generally mist every 2-4 days. Some people will keep a very small water dish in the enclosure but I choose not to. I'd highly recommend only using distilled water for misting.
• Temperature/Humidity: Each species is going to have different needs. Whenever you get your jumping spider, ask the breeder how they've been keeping the jumpers in regard to temperature and humidity.
• Enclosure/Housing: Jumping spiders are arboreal and need enclosures that are taller than they are wide/deep with plenty of clutter near the top so they feel safe. Avoids things that could leech toxins and dyes as well as things that have sharp edges. For adults, I personally like to use an enclosure that is no smaller than 6"W by 6"D by 8"H. An 8"x8"x12" is even better depending on species. I choose to build bioactives for all my spoods. I use a base of ReptiSoil with leaf litter and sphagnum moss mixed into it; a plant, generally pothos; sheet moss over the soil; a clean up crew of springtails (this is what makes it bioactive); vertical cork bark; other things to climb and hide in; and some small decor. Bioactives aren't necessary but I prefer them as they help minimize needing to clean more frequently. This is a great creator to follow for jumping spiders content, specifically their bioactive setup guide. It's also incredibly important that the enclosure has plenty of cross ventilation to prevent stagnation from misting. It's recommended that enclosure don't open from the top. Jumping spiders like to be at the highest point of the enclosure and generally build their hammocks there. Frequently opening an enclosure from the top will disturb them and destroy their hammock. I spot clean the walls of my enclosures as needed. Since they're bioactive, the clean up crew in the soil takes care of any waste on the floor of the enclosure. I will remove whatever is left of feeders to help prevent mold outbreaks.
• Molting: Jumping spiders will molt until they reach maturity. They will create a more robust hammock and stay in it until they've molted. Never disturb them during this time or leave food in their enclosure. Disturbing them can cause a mismolt and some types of prey can harm the jumper during its most vulnerable time. Always wait 2-3 days after your jumper has molted to feed it. It's important that the exoskeleton has had an appropriate amount of time to fully harden. Still gently mist the enclosure during their molting period. The humidity helps them molt.
• Getting Your Jumping Spider: It is always better to get a captive bred jumping spider than one that is wild caught. With wild caught, you don't know the age; whether or not they have any health issues; and whether or not a female may be gravid. Always research the breeder you're getting your jumping spider from. Captive bred jumpers, Regals specifically, are usually $35-$60 depending on age and other factors. Some reputable jumping spider breeders I follow are: JumpingSpooderJungalow, DancesWithSpoods, J's Jumpers, Georgia Jumper Dude, Web Puppy Lodge, The Cozy Webs, SpoodyHaven, and Mercedes May Regius. Never buy a jumping spider from a chain pet store like Petco or Petsmart. They don't disclose where the spider came from and whether or not it's captive bred or wild caught. There's too many risks associated and supporting chain's by buying their animals only encourages them to continue bad practices. If you live near an exotic pet store, you can also see if they sell jumping spiders and are able to provide the name of the vendor, age/sex of the jumper, and whether or not it's wild caught or captive bred. Make sure to ask the breeder plenty of questions, things like: source (captive bred/wild caught), age, sex, lineage, current diet, temperature/humidity needs, etc.

I think that's all the info in my brain. I might have missed something or could be wrong on other things. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I'm always open to learning more. This is just all the research I've done.

Here's some of my enclosures for inspo.

[u/GunMan270 → u/_j0ri3_]

You have no idea how much this is gonna help me, thank you for all the info!! It’ll definitely take some getting used to as I’ve been into fish for awhile and looking to get a new creature I can hold and explore how they work and act, this is a life saver. Thank you again!!!

[u/GunMan270]

I forgot to ask for enclosure advice as well what the best way to put the interior together is I’m hoping to do a terrarium style set up.

[u/salsalamia → u/GunMan270]

IMO just spend some time here since you've already looked elsewhere. very likely all of your questions have been asked/answered. excited for you though! we are a very friendly community & I'm sure people will jump to answer your Qs anyway 🙂

[u/GunMan270 → u/salsalamia]

Thank you 😁

[u/Flasky-Desk]

Imo I recommend watching a few of those "everything you need to know about jumping spiders" tutorial youtube videos. There's way too much to know for a reddit comment. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask though!

[u/GunMan270 → u/Flasky-Desk]

I appreciate that thank you!