Jumping Spider For Sale Uk? The 61 Top Answers

Jumping spiders or Salticidae are a species of spiders known for their leaping abilities to both hunt and flee from danger.

They are capable carnivores that will eat almost anything smaller than them, sometimes even the larger ones.

They have excellent vision and senses, giving them the advantage of being the top predator in the food chain in their habitat.

Aside from being cute, they are great hunters that you can admire with awe. Therefore, more and more people today keep exotic pets such as jumping spiders. One for her cuteness and two for her hostility.

But here’s the deal

The life span of jumping can be quite short. They only lose about 5 to 6 times from young to adulthood. Their total lifespan is about 1 to 3 years.

So, before considering them as pets, it’s good to understand more facts about them and their requirements to keep a happy, healthy jumping spider.

Finally, we want everyone to be responsible exotic pet owners.

Here is a jumping spider care guide to help you understand how to raise jumping spiders as pets. And at the same time GUARANTEED to help you make a better decision about whether or not they are suitable pets for you.

Are jumping spiders safe as pets?

For us, jumping spiders are very friendly, passive and harmless. In the wild, they are vicious predators that seek prey from higher vantage points, but they tend to shy away from humans.

You can even touch them or play with them with your bare hands!

And the great thing about jumping spiders is that their main diet consists of pests that you and I hate!

But you’re probably wondering… aren’t they poisonous?

There are many misconceptions when it comes to spiders. The first impression most people have is that they are toxic.

Yes that’s right…

Most spiders carry venom, but the fact is that only 30 out of 40,000 species of spiders have venom potent enough to threaten our lives.

As for jumping spiders, most of their species carry venom, but it really isn’t enough to hurt us.

Their venom is designed to paralyze their prey before devouring them, as they don’t usually spin webs to capture their prey, instead pouncing on them from above.

I won’t lie to you…

Getting bitten by a jumping spider can be painful.

But it’s really nothing that lasts.

The bite also heals within a few days. Unless you have an allergy to their venom, which, just like an allergy to peanuts, can be deadly.

Spiders to watch out for are the brown recluse and black widow spiders. While searching for jumping spiders, you may also come across these 2 highly venomous spiders.

Their bites can be deadly and often require medical attention. Here is an example of a black widow bite:

To learn more about bites, read our blog on spider bite symptoms here.

Now how do you feel about jumping spiders as pets? Do you think they are safe to use?

Before you make a decision, how about we cover the care of jumping spiders?

Structure of the jumping spider housing

Jumping spiders don’t need an imaginative home to sleep in, nor a huge tank to house them. Some species of jumping spiders can be quite small, so there is no need to get a large housing for these.

Jumping Spider Housing Considerations:

Container

substrate

shelters and hiding places

container size

It really doesn’t matter what container you use as long as there are holes for ventilation.

But space is important, you want to give them plenty of room to roam like they would in their natural habitat.

You can prepare a container that is at least 1 cubic foot in size for each spider. 1 cubic foot is at least a 28 liter or 7 gallon tank.

If you’re not picky, a simple medium or large Kritter Keeper from Amazon will do, or alternatively, a smaller acrylic aquarium will do.

Another thing that is important for your container is the lid or lid. You should always make sure there is a lid or cover over your container to prevent your spiders from running wild. It is good to use a mesh lid or those with air holes.

Other cheap containers suitable for spiders

OSHIDE Acrylic Terrarium Container – This container has ventilation holes on 3 sides of the container. It’s also fully transparent, providing a 360° view of your spider. Biback Acrylic Sliding Container – This container is also transparent so you can fully see your spider. It uses a sliding lid to create an opening for feeding. The disadvantage of this container is that the jumping spider usually forms a webbing and stays at the top of the container. But there are air holes at the top. OMEM Portable Transparent Plastic Box – This container is an easy setup with full transparency on all sides. This is best for your jumping spider as the lid can be opened from one side without ever disturbing your pet spider.

Aside from these affordable containers, for those looking to create a full habitat for your spiders, you can opt for larger, more expensive terrariums below.

Top 2 jumping spider terrarium that is absolute overkill

#1 Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium

This setup is an absolute beast for jumping spiders. This one is intended for bearded dragons, but can also be a kingdom for jumping spiders. You can easily accommodate more than 1 spider in this habitat.

#2 Exo Terra Nano Wide Terrarium

Here’s another terrarium over-the-top for housing spiders. If you want to create a special home for them, this facility will give you ample space for hunting and breeding.

Can we put more than 1 spider in the same tank?

no Spiders should always be kept isolated or they will eat each other.

They should get their own tank unless it’s for breeding. Just for breeding, you can try putting a male and a female in the same tank.

But here’s the rub.

If you keep them together for too long, there is a chance that the female will cannibalize the male. So just put them together for mating for a few days. Then separate them back into their own tanks to ensure both survive.

Where do you place your tank or container?

Spiders need sunlight. It’s good to place your container somewhere near the window or in areas with some natural light. They love the heat. But be careful not to leave them in the sun for too long or they may be baked alive.

substrate

A substrate is used at the bottom of the container. A substrate is not essential for jumping spiders, as they spend more time at the top of the container, likely on or near the lid.

There are both pros and cons to using each substrate. Let’s take a look at what they are:

Fine soil or potting soil

Advantages:

The floor can be used to mimic a natural habitat

Great for visuals

Disadvantages:

Can get messy with leftover food. Mealworms in particular must be cleared, otherwise there is a risk that they will pupate into beetles

If you need potting soil, you can get it here.

paper towel

Paper towels are another affordable alternative that can be easily swapped out for a new piece when they get dirty. Buying paper towels in bulk will also yield many cost savings in the long run.

Advantages:

Simple and clean

Spiders can dry themselves if they get wet for any reason

Disadvantages:

Does not mimic natural habitat

No substrate

advantages

Not much cleaning required

Disadvantages:

Does not mimic natural habitat

The plastic surface might be slippery for the spider. Especially the older ones

Shelters, hiding places and accessories

Similar shelters and hiding places are not really mandatory but are good to have as they replicate their natural habitat.

Use tree bark, wood, logs, twigs and branches as decorative items and hiding places for them.

Depending on the species, they are rarely used by some jumping spiders, as they spend most of their time near the lid in their webs.

But it’s still good to have a natural wood surface like tree bark and branches for spiders to climb and move on.

Throw in some live food so they can hunt themselves and watch as they catch their prey. This will help them get closer to their natural selves and improve their hunting skills.

A great housing for jumping spiders will be to mimic their natural habitat. This way they always stay active and alert. It will also be a good breeding environment if that crosses your mind.

Let’s take a look at suitable accessories for your jumping spider tank.

For wooden shelters and climbing sites, you can opt for branches and twigs made of wood:

Get some Exo Terra Forest Branches to create climbing areas for hunting.

Or how about some natural driftwood vines to create a natural forest habitat for your spiders.

Alternatively, you can also opt for Natural Spider Wood to mimic the natural environment and habitat of jumping spiders.

For plants and covers, using natural plants is great. But caring for these plants can also be a hassle. Alternatively, you can opt for lifelike terrarium plants for decorative purposes. Here are some examples:

Resin tree root climbing branch for your spiders to climb and hide.

or the Exo Terra plastic terrarium plant, which comes in a variety of plant types. Get one that matches your terrarium.

and finally Uxcell Green Plastic Terrarium Lifelike Plant, which you can use to upgrade your terrarium to make it look more natural.

Below we will talk about what to feed them…

What do jumping spiders eat?

Jumping spiders eat all kinds of pests.

From files to cockroaches to crickets and moths or other insects smaller and more vulnerable to their fangs, they would become their delicious dinner.

And do you know that jumping spiders in the wild even feed on flower nectar? Yes, they can actually be vegetarian too!

What can you feed jumping spiders?

grilling

Crickets are the first choice for jumping spiders. You can find them almost everywhere. Either catch them yourself or buy them online or from pet stores.

Advantages:

They are cheap and readily available

Can be caught by yourself

Can be cultivated

Disadvantages:

Crickets that are too big can bite your spider

You can actually get live crickets of different sizes here.

files

There are many types of files that are also available in your kitchen at any time of the year. They may not be easy to catch, but they can definitely be bought at pet stores. So getting a supply of food for your spider is not difficult.

Advantages:

Can be found at home

Spiders love them

Can be bought at pet stores

Can be kept refrigerated to ensure a constant supply of food sources

Disadvantages:

Can lay eggs and turn into more maggots if not refrigerated.

Not easy to catch

If you are planning to breed your own fruit flies, get ready for a wingless fruit fly culture here.

mealworms

Mealworms are another great alternative delicacy for your spider. It can be easily purchased at any pet store or online.

Advantages:

Can be self raised or cultivated

Simply available

Disadvantages:

Leftover mealworms must be removed or they will become bugs

Live mealworms are readily available at many pet stores, or you can have them delivered to your door from these reliable mealworm sellers here.

As you can see, spiders are not high maintenance at all. These food sources can be caught or grown yourself.

how do i feed them

Feeding them is really easy. You can toss live food into their container or offer them directly with tweezers or your bare hands if you’re not nervous around spiders.

feeding frequency

For adults, feeding them every 2 to 3 days is sufficient. When full, they usually just ignore the food.

Spiderlings or young spiders tend to get hungry often, so 1 to 2 days is fine. Spiderlings really should be kept separate or they will eat each other up.

For older spiders, they tend to eat less as they get older. Sometimes they can go a month without food. They tend to prefer food that is already dead as they stop foraging for food.

To learn more about what other insects or foods they may have, read our jumping spider nutrition guide here.

drinking water

Spiders need to drink too. But not too much water or they will drown.

Fun fact:

Jumping spiders have lungs that look like pages from a book. They are also called book lungs. Because of this, they also tend to drown very easily

To solve this there are either two ways –

Just get a turkey broom and drip 1 drop in the corner every week. Here you will find a suitable and affordable range of turkey butter.

Or use a spray bottle to spray the side of the tank away from the spider. Here are some affordable spray bottles that can get the job done.

Breeding of jumping spider

Breeding jumping spiders can be fun and interesting.

Sometimes when you put a male and female together, you find that the males actually start waving their front legs at the female as a courtship dance.

And if the female accepts, she will lower her cover and go into a passive position to allow the male to approach her.

But here’s the catch

When attempting to mate with her female counterpart, there is a chance that the male will be eaten by her. Finally, females are larger than male spiders.

So it is important not to put both spiders together for too long.

Here’s how to do it.

#1: Feed your spiders

Make sure both spiders are well fed

This is to avoid cannibalism

#2: Pair them up

Place both spiders in a spacious tank or container or near the window with natural sunlight overnight.

You may notice the male spider starting to perform his courtship dance for the female.

Males normally store sperm in a sperm web. If the female allows it to advance, it will deposit the sperm into the underside of the female spider’s abdomen. This will fertilize the eggs.

#3: Separate them the next day or your male could be eaten alive

How do I know if they have successfully mated?

Spiders don’t give birth, they lay eggs instead, so technically they don’t get pregnant, but the symptoms are somewhat similar.

To know if you are successful, you will notice that the abdomen of the female spider is getting bigger, as if they are about to explode.

This is the main symptom that your female spider is pregnant. Which means “pregnant” with eggs in other words.

Pregnant jumping spiders are also known to build and hide in a web-silk shell to lay their eggs. She will then lay fertilized eggs in an egg sac made out of her silk thread.

Or they just hang their egg sac on top of the bin or tank where they normally are. This is how the spider mama protects her eggs.

At this point, you’re probably wondering how many eggs can the spider lay?

Well, they can produce a lot of eggs. Starting with 2 eggs up to even 1000 eggs at once.

After laying their eggs, they should come out of their “hiding place” more often. Female jumping spiders become more aggressive and overprotective of their eggs at this point.

Disrupt their “hiding place” and you’ll likely get bitten. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

Sometimes they don’t leave their “cave” for days. You may also not eat what you serve. Or they sometimes eat their own offspring.

What happens to the eggs afterwards?

It takes about 2 weeks to hatch under warm temperatures. They also go through their first molting process before they disperse or come out of their egg sacs.

At this point, be sure to cover any holes in your container with a cloth to keep them from leaking out. They can really be very small.

Note that spiderlings can be cannibalistic, they will eat each other if you don’t separate them. But it’s still safe when they’re just hatching.

They will get along at first, but once their bodies harden, they start chasing each other. Then it’s “Survival of the fittest”. To prevent this from happening, once they scatter, try to separate them into other containers as much as possible.

What to do with spiders

You must feed them water and live food. Do not fog their container or they will drown. Instead, use cotton to soak up some water and put it in the tank.

To feed them, you can try aphids or small fruit files. These are a great source of food that are readily available and can be bought online.

Now that you know how to breed them, how about let’s take a look at where to find or get them.

How and where to catch jumping spiders?

Jumping spiders can be found in many areas. They live in all sorts of habitats such as tropical forests or even deserts and mountainous areas. You should be able to see them often in areas with light vegetation or in your home.

But here’s the deal

Different habitats harbor different genera of jumping spiders. You need to know exactly what types of jumping spiders you want before you go hunting.

Take for example –

If you want a peacock jumping spider, you can only find them in Australia. So if you live in the United States, chances are you’ll only find Phidippus species or species like the zebra jumping spider.

To learn more about the different types of jumping spiders and where to find them, you can check out our blog on 8 Amazing Common Jumping Spiders here.

Possible areas where you can find them:

Parks or gardens if you have one in your yard

At your home. Look for them on the walls. They like to climb walls to get a bird’s eye view of everything

On flowers or tall grass

Plan your catch

After identifying their location, it’s time to catch them! But before you do that, it’s imperative to make sure you have the appropriate protective gear to protect yourself.

Here are some tips for a fun and safe time catching spiders

Tip #1: Make sure you know what jumping spiders look like

Spiders can be quite small. Sometimes you might mistake other insects for your jumping spiders.

Or you will encounter other dangerous species of spiders such as the brown recluse, the black widow or the hobo spiders. They tend to roam in undisturbed areas, so keep an eye out for them.

To be absolutely sure, here are some characteristics and pictures of jumping spiders.

Characteristics of jumping spiders:

All jumping spiders have great visions. The best way to identify them is by counting the number of eyes they have. In total they have 8 eyes. It pretty much surrounds her forehead. Her two front eyes are really big which makes her really cute.

Another distinctive feature of a jumping spider is its long, larger front legs. You might think they use their long front legs to jump, but they actually rely more on their hind legs. Front legs are generally used for their mating dance or for support.

Finally, they have a lot of body hair to give them more grip when climbing.

Now that you know what jumping spiders look like, don’t catch the wrong insects.

Being bitten by other insects or poisonous spiders can be life threatening. Which brings us to tip #2.

Tip #2: Always wear protective gear

When catching spiders in the wild, you’re bound to come into contact with other insects. You may want to consider wearing protective gear such as gloves and long-sleeved clothing to reduce the chance of stings and bites.

Only if you venture deep into the dense rainforest, most bites may not be life threatening but leave a painful experience.

Tip #3: Bring essentials

Traveling light is one thing, but being prepared is more important. Being in the wild can be unpredictable, so you definitely want to have the essentials that will keep you ready.

Here are some items that will be helpful:

Short stick for beating bushes or keeping insects away from animals

Small container with holes to temporarily house the spider

torch

Gloves for protection when you touch them with your hands

Magnifying glass to see your prized catch

Finally, it never hurts to bring some sunscreen, shades and water too

How do you catch spiders?

When you spot a jumping spider on the wall, open your container and grab the spider. Then use a piece of paper or card to slide underneath. The spider jumps onto the container. Finally, quickly close the container.

In the wilderness, use your stick to gently hit the bushes to make them jump. Once you’ve found your spider. Either carefully use your hands or your stick to guide it into your container. Wearing gloves helps here.

To learn more about how to catch spiders, check out our Spider Catching Guide here.

Cost of purchasing and raising jumping spiders?

Remember how sometimes when you’re not looking for something, they pop up all the time and when you try to find them, they can’t be found?

Well, jumping spiders are like that. So if you are really tired of finding them, you can always buy them from online communities.

Jumping spiders can be priced anywhere from $10 to $30 or more depending on rarity. If you don’t mind paying for one, there are many communities where you can connect with these sellers.

Cost of maintaining a jumping spider

The cost of keeping jumping spiders is truly one of the lowest compared to other exotic pets. You can DIY everything in its case. Even their food source can be self-cultivated or caught.

But if you really just buy them. Here’s a breakdown of their upkeep costs.

Spider feed cost

Mealworms: $12 to $14 online (you can raise them yourself)

Wingless fruit fly culture: $16 to $18

BBQ: $29.99 (can be self-funded)

Depending on how many spiders you have, these foods can last for months. And you can bring the rest to the culture yourself to grow even more food.

Cost of spider housing

Kritter Keeper Tank: $25 for medium to large tanks

Aquarium tanks: $20+ to $30+ for a 10 gallon aquarium

Housing is more of a one-off expense. You can also use your own jar or container. You will be fine as long as there are holes.

Decorative Items:

Potting soil substrate: $6 to $7

Driftwood for decorative purposes: $15 to $30

Many decorative items such as tree bark, twigs and leaves can all be taken from your garden or yard.

Total cost of keeping a jumping spider: can be less than $50

Spiders are actually quite resilient. You can definitely take care of yourself. Except for feeding as they are in a close quarters. In addition, their maintenance costs are really cheap.

Before you make a final decision, it’s time for the review!

Conclusion: The rating of the jumping spider as a pet

We will rate the jumping spider base based on the 3 most important considerations for any pet owner. They are:

Cost: 1/1

As you can see from the cost of maintaining a spider. You can do almost everything yourself, from the house to the food. I can’t help but give the jumping spider the highest rating for cost.

Maintenance: 1/1

The jumping spider housing doesn’t require much maintenance other than the occasional misting of your tank to provide your spiders with some water. So there are definitely full points for maintenance as well.

Handling: 0.5/1

Spiders aren’t for everyone. Although jumping spiders are relatively safe to handle, they can leave a nasty sting.

Just think of spiders as an acquired taste. Many get nervous when they see spiders, let alone deal with them with ease. So it’s definitely not for everyone.

In my opinion, jumping spiders have an overall rating of 2.5 out of 3, making them a great pet for new owners.

What about you? Do you think that jumping spiders make great pets after understanding how to take care of them?

Let us know in the comments below.

The Phidippus Regius belongs to the Salticidae family. It is a species of jumping spider first found in the southeastern United States and western India. It prefers its natural habitat, which is tropical or subtropical, as it is used to high temperatures and humidity.

Spiders are a very rare species that are often kept as pets. The Phidippus Regius or Royal Jumping Spider is a favored species and has become a household name.

With more information about exotic pets on the internet, people are starting to warm to the idea of ​​keeping these unusual creatures as pets. Since this isn’t your typical pet, get your facts right before embarking on this journey.

The Phidippus Regius is popular and one of the most commonly kept jumping spider species. It looks gorgeous, requires minimal maintenance and has a great temperament that makes it suitable for beginners and experts alike.

Looks

Spiders often have distinctive physical features related to appearance, which makes them even more popular. The Phidippus Regius comes in striking colors, usually black or tan, with several other combinations. The most prominent feature is the remarkably large beady eyes on a comparatively small body.

This spider is a diurnal, visual hunter, meaning it is active during the day and hunts at night. Just like other jumping spider species, the Regal Jumping Spider exhibits sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females look different.

Females are larger, generally reaching a body length of up to 22mm. They have lighter or lighter body colors that can range from gray to orange. The males mostly have black with white markings on their abdomen below a white band. However, the environment in which they grow affects their appearance.

Besides colors, there are other noticeable physiological differences when kept in captivity or when they are a product of selective breeding. Males are often smaller, measuring up to 15mm in length, are slimmer, and have longer, heavier-looking forelimbs. On the other hand, females get quite fat, especially when pregnant or just well fed.

The most attractive feature of the royal jumping spider is the blue-green or pink iridescent/metallic chelicerae or “jaws” that are quite large. Another fact is that the papli blocks the chelicerae. The papli is oversized but doesn’t appear very large as it is covered in white hair. They have three rows of eyes, with the first row being large and visible.

care guide

Housing

The Phidippus Regius is easy to care for as it is small and has basic care requirements. If you build or get a small enclosure out of wood or something else, you can make your pet comfortable. Make sure the room is well ventilated and add a few accessories to brighten up the area.

However, these spiders are small and adaptable. You can experiment with different cases. Depending on how much space you have at home, you should consider length, width and depth.

Make it safe and breathable so it has plenty of room to explore. You should consider these requirements either when purchasing the case or when building a case so that it is easier to clean and maintain.

Small enclosures are easy to decorate. You should line the bottom of the enclosure with about 2 inches of moisture-retaining substrate such as coco coir. This softens the flooring, keeps the enclosure clean, and maintains a healthy humidity level.

Place some small branches or twigs or even a small plant on top of the substrate. This will give your spider lots of areas to climb and build webs in. A small bowl of water could also help prevent dehydration and keep the humidity constant.

Case Temperature/Humidity

Unlike other species, the Phidippus Regius’ optimum temperature is usually around room temperature. If you live in colder areas and it gets extremely cold, you may need some heating, e.g. B. a space heater. Often this is not necessary.

The natural habitat of the royal jumping spider typically has summer temperatures above 30°C and relative humidity around 75-80%. In the wild, they adapt to changes in temperature and humidity since they are outdoors with free fresh air.

In an enclosed space in captivity, temperatures remain between 24 and 28°C and relative humidity around 50 to 60%. Maintain humidity levels by spraying one side of the enclosure with water every 2-3 days.

Be careful not to spray the spider. A fine mist of water every morning and a light mist in the afternoon in summer are good for the spider. With high humidity in an enclosed space with limited air movement, mold will begin to form and kill the spider.

So consider lighting conditions, and these spiders absolutely love light. Outdoors, spiders are subject to storms and rain that drench everything. The following heat dries everything again. in captivity it seems to be drier. Place the enclosure near some light during the day.

Place the case near a window, but make sure the case doesn’t get hot. An LED lamp will do, too. Avoid using heating mats. If you need to heat multiple cabinets at the same time, place a heating mat vertically behind the cabinets.

feeding

There are a few things you need to keep in mind when feeding these spiders. Because they’re so small, you can’t feed them standard insects, at least initially. You should feed the young spiderlings, flightless fruit flies, or tiny pinhead crickets as much as they are willing to eat. Do this 1-3 times a week.

As the spider grows, small insects will not be able to satisfy their appetite. Before this becomes a big problem, switch them to larger foods, like small mealworms or crickets. They should be shorter than your jumping spider’s body. Remove all uneaten food from the enclosure to avoid health hazards and unsanitary conditions.

Lifespan and Health Concerns

The Phidippus Regius does not suffer from any major health problems. Regular cleaning of a well-built and secure enclosure can make it safe and comfortable to maintain your spider’s light and humidity.

If your spider has a good diet, there aren’t many things that can go wrong. However, a common problem that owners of their jumping spiders face is dehydration. If the enclosure is not sprayed enough and lacks a water bowl, this can happen.

Mist the enclosure with water at least twice a week. To get an accurate reading of temperature and humidity, use a digital thermometer or hygrometer to measure dry conditions.

Sometimes the spider can damage its legs if it falls from a great height, so keep the ground moist and soft. The lifespan of the royal jumping spider is quite short. These creatures only lose about 5 to 6 times from young to adulthood. And their total service life is about 1 to 3 years.

behavior

The Phidippus Regius has an even-tempered and friendly disposition, which is the main reason they are so popular. The royal jumping spider is an inquisitive and gentle creature that obviously loves to jump. Unlike most tarantulas, this spider forms a bond with its owner.

This spider can recognize people and calmly observe changes in its surroundings as it jumps and explores. You can touch your spider for a long time without it flapping.

Inside the enclosure, this spider spends time either sleeping in its web sac or simply jumping around. Since they are small, taking them out can be risky. Treat yours with care initially and only move them after enough time has passed.

How do you keep the Regal Jumping Spider safe?

good living

These small pets are easy to care for. If you don’t buy one, you can always save or catch them in the wild.

If you already live in a tropical country, the spider has already adapted to the climate. It then requires less acclimatization.

If you live in a cold area, you need to provide heat or the right humidity. However, they are robust and adapt to a changing environment. Just make sure the enclosure has adequate light and is sprayed regularly. A cozy and clean enclosure supports growth.

place

You must give these spiders enough space. Once you’ve decided where to store your pet enclosure, you’ve already got the job done.

Depending on how much space you have, you can keep them in a small terrarium, glass jar, or aquarium. You can even put it on a window or tabletop. Open, empty, and airy spaces work best.

You should keep the enclosure higher than normal as these spiders are adventurous and like to move around. This also keeps them out of reach of other pets that might disturb the enclosure.

Is the Royal Jumping Spider a Danger to Humans?

While the Regal Jumping Spider is an easy pet, it can occasionally cause significant concern among first-time spider owners. spider bites and venom to name a few.

Like most animals, they will defend themselves if they believe their life is in danger. Luckily, non-allergic people are safe and their bites can heal quickly depending on the individual affected. Spiders will usually flee if they are afraid of you at first encounter.

Handling them can trigger their defense mechanism and result in a nasty bite. Spider bites are often very painful and cause swelling and irritation. If you are allergic then the reactions are much more severe.

You need to practice getting your grip on them when handling them. Or just wear gloves and other protective gear when holding them for the first time.

Average Cost and Where to Buy Regal Jumping Spider

If you want to acquire one of these animals, you can either buy them from sellers who offer attractive prices, or catch them yourself. Because it’s small, it costs less.

This is fairly common as it has a short lifespan. You can buy a small spider for under $10. Adult males and females cost between $20 and $30.

This often includes shipping and a safe arrival guarantee, making it well worth the investment. If your goal is to get an adorable, energetic, inquisitive spider, then the Phidippus Regius or Regal Jumping Spider is the pet for you.

maintenance costs

Compared to other exotic pets, maintenance costs are among the lowest. For housing you can do everything yourself. Additionally, the food source can be cultivated or caught.

spider food

Mealworms: $12 to $14

Wingless fruit fly culture: $16 to $18

Crickets: $29.99

spider housing

Kritter Keeper Tank: Medium to large tanks are $25

Aquarium tanks: 10 gallon aquariums range from $20 to $30

The total cost of keeping a jumping spider can be less than $50. For the most part, spiders are fairly resilient, so you don’t really need to spend a lot.

Facts and useful information

Common Name Regal Jumping Spider Habitat Southeastern United States, Bahamas Growth rate fast, matures in a few months Adult size Females – ⅗ inch, males ½ inch Lifespan short, about 1-2 years Enclosure small with moist substrate, placed under adequate light Temperature 75 F, with constant fog. Diet fruit flies, mealworms Temperament Curious and energetic

summary

Overall, the Phidippus Regius or Royal Jumping Spider makes a good pet that is beginner-friendly, inquisitive, and energetic. They often exhibit interesting behavior and can be easily managed if you spend enough time with them.

Due to their small size, they are easy to hold as they take up little space.

These relatively low-maintenance pets have short lifespans, so they’re not a long-term commitment. All they need is a safe and comfortable shelter, food and water.

Because they are low in cost to own and maintain, you can feed them a few times a week without breaking the bank. This affordable pet is a great source of entertainment and will add interest to your home.

Sources:

Volume 22, Issue 3, Fall 2017

by Kerry Bzdyk

As I sat down at my computer to start working on this article, I noticed with some delight that the wallpaper on my laptop was actually a jumping spider, and had been for years. It’s hard to imagine that despite my lifelong fear of spiders, I found this animal so charming that I wanted to see it so often. But there it is!

Whether you love them or not, spiders are incredibly fascinating and diverse creatures. Salticidae is one of the largest spider families, with 5,800 different species making up 13% of all spiders. There is a lot of diversity within the family, but also a lot of similarities. Jumping spiders are generally small, ranging in size from 1/8 inch to 5/8 inch. Like all spiders, they have eight legs and two body parts: the abdomen and the cephalothorax. They are usually hairy and have strong legs. Although they have spinnerets and can produce webs, they do not build webs to capture prey. You will use silk to create a shelter or to craft a tow line. They have four pairs of eyes in three rows. The largest pair of eyes point forward on the front of the distinctive square face, giving these spiders a fairly “mammal-like” appearance, which can add to their charm. But the jumping spiders’ keen eyesight serves a greater purpose. They are predatory hunters who use their uniquely keen vision to find food. The visual acuity of the jumping spider has been extensively studied. They have the best vision not only among spiders, but possibly among all arthropods.

Like all spiders, jumping spiders hatch from eggs and look like small adults. The female tends to her eggs until the spiders emerge and disperse. The young spiders overwinter and mature the following spring, moulting as they grow. The average lifespan is one year.

Jumping spiders hunt much like cats, using their excellent vision to spot prey from afar, then sneak up and pounce on it. They have the ability to leap thirty times the length of their bodies. Ant-mimic jumping spiders (Myrmarachne spp.) are so good at mimicking ants that they can “infiltrate” an ant colony and feed unnoticed. Mimicry, speed, and superior vision give these agile spiders a distinct predatory advantage.

The jumping spider we see most often is the daring jumping spider (Phidippus audax). This is the one we see around our homes and often hunt on windowsills or fences. They are also one of the largest species and can be very interactive. The next time you come across one of these little charmers, take a closer look. You may notice them turning around and doing the same to you!

Share on Pinterest Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images Jumping spiders are one of the most common types of spiders. While there are thousands of species of jumping spider, only 300 are native to the United States. Jumping spiders are not dangerous to humans, even if you are bitten by one. Usually, a jumping spider will only bite if crushed or threatened. According to the University of California Davis, these bites are considered less severe than a bee sting and can result in a small, mosquito-sized welt (that is, if you have any symptoms at all). However, if you have an allergy to jumping spider venom — or if the spider that bites you isn’t a jumping spider after all — those bites can raise health concerns. This article covers the basics of treating a jumping spider bite and when to see a doctor about this type of insect bite.

What you should know about jumping spiders If you’ve been bitten by any species of spider, it’s important to stay calm. Try to remember details of what the spider looked like, such as B. the color

size

Stripes or Marks If the spider is crushed or killed after biting you, take a photo of the spider for later reference. For example, according to Washington State University, Phidippus audax is a common species of jumping spider, also known as the “orchard spider.” The animal often has an orange and white patch on its abdomen. Other species of jumping spiders can have white or black stripes on their abdomens. You don’t usually find a jumping spider in a web. They prefer to hunt by leaping forward from their hind legs to catch insects. You can see a jumping spider hanging from a single strand of silk thread.

What to do with a jumping spider bite If you’re fairly certain that the spider that bit you is a jumping spider, you can most likely treat the bite at home. Here’s what to do: Wash the spider bite with soap and water. This prevents bacteria from crossing your skin barrier and makes infection less likely later.

If you experience a burning sensation at the site of the spider bite, apply a cool compress (such as a wet washcloth) to the bite. This should help with symptoms like swelling and redness or discoloration.

You can also apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the area of ​​the bite if a welt appears. You may want to try other home remedies for the bite if the above first aid steps don’t help, e.g. B. an antihistamine cream or a topical analgesic.

When to Call a Doctor If your spider bite symptoms don’t go away or get worse over a 24- to 48-hour period, see a doctor. In these situations, the most likely scenarios are: You are having an allergic reaction to the spider bite

You have a bite from another species of spider. Call a doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms after a spider bite: nausea and vomiting

dizziness

Rashes that spread beyond the initial welts

a purple or red blister

difficulty breathing

increased pulse

fever or chills

increased blood pressure

Swollen lymph nodes

The inner workings of jumping spider brains have remained elusive until now.

Known for its excellent eyesight and jumping ability, the jumping spider has long been a mystery to neurobiologists. The arachnid’s body is filled with a pressurized fluid that helps it move, and whenever inquisitive scientists tried to peer into its brain with surgical instruments, the spider exploded.

Now, using a new technique, scientists have recorded the electrical brain activity of these fascinating Kaboom-less spiders.

“What we’ve done is open the brain base of a very unusual animal,” said researcher Ron Hoy, professor of neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University. [More Photos of the Jumping Spider Experiment]

Tiny Brains

The jumping spider (Phidippus audax) has a brain the size of a poppy seed but vision almost that of humans, making its visual system intriguing to researchers and robotic engineers inspired by nature.

Gil Menda, a postdoctoral researcher in neurobiology and behavior in Hoy’s lab, realized that if he drilled a tiny hole in the spider’s head, the wound could heal on its own around a hair-thin tungsten recording electrode. He carefully inserted a microelectrode into the brains of 33 spiders and observed how brain cells in their visual networks responded to images of white noise, flies and other jumping spiders.

With eight eyes, jumping spiders have an almost complete 360-degree view of their surroundings. Most spiders have poor vision and build webs to capture prey, but jumping spiders hunt nomadicly, much like a cat or wolf pursues their prey, Hoy told Live Science.

The inner workings of jumping spider brains have remained elusive until now. (Image credit: Gil Menda Hoy Lab, Cornell University)

However, he noticed a small difference. Unlike cats, spiders do not chase after their prey. “They jump and grab their prey,” Hoy said. “It’s like a cat jumping.”

To keep the spiders calm during the experiments, the research team used a 3D printer to create a small spider harness. They covered the spiders’ four rear eyes and inserted the electrode into the brain to help them look for brain cells connected to each spider’s visual system. When the researchers showed the spiders an image of a fly, their natural prey, on a screen, the spiders’ brain cells, which are connected to their visual systems, showed a burst of electrical activity. [See Photos of Jumping Spiders and Other Arachnids]

In Chinese, the spider’s name means “flying tiger.” But they are not dangerous to humans. “They have venom, but it’s reserved for their prey,” Hoy said.

“They hear a very strong [electrical] response from the brain when [the spiders] spot something they recognize,” Menda said.

To make sure the spiders didn’t react to certain parts of the fly, such as its wings or head, the researchers showed the spiders a scrambled image of a fly. The scattered image elicited no response. “They didn’t react to the [messed up] images at all,” Menda said. “It wasn’t the small component of the image, it was the image of the [entire] fly.”

The jumping spiders also showed a neural response to the static “white noise” according to the electrode recordings, but not to images of other spiders; It’s possible that other neurons in their brains that weren’t attached to the electrode showed a response to spider images, the researchers said.

Specialized Eyes

Unlike humans, whose eyes detect both sharpness and movement, the spider’s large primary eyes process sharpness and its small secondary eyes see movement. Because the researchers haven’t been able to study the spiders’ neural activity so far, they weren’t sure how the spiders’ eyes work together.

“You can imagine that you have four eyes all looking at the same thing, you get input one and input two, and you would add them together,” speculated researcher Paul Shamble, a graduate student in neurobiology and behavior in Hoy’s lab. “It turned out that for some neurons that wasn’t the case. It was a lot more complicated.”

In the experiment, the researchers covered the spiders’ front eyes and then their side eyes. The spiders showed little neural visual response to the images when either pair of eyes was covered.

The spiders need both their large and small eyes to process visual information, the researchers found. “They need all their eyes to spot the prey,” Menda said.

The study could open up a new field in basic neuroscience, Hoy said. It could also inspire engineers building small biosensors, since jumping spiders have tiny eyes and brains.

“These tiny [brains] with only a hundred thousand neurons can see the same things that people with giant brains can see,” Menda said.

The researchers also hope the study will raise awareness of jumping spiders’ precise vision and hunting abilities.

“If you just wave your hand, this is one of the few animals that will turn and look back at you,” Hoy said. “To me, that makes them endearing, and it makes me think maybe I don’t want to crush that animal.”

The study was published online Oct. 9 in the journal Current Biology.

Follow Laura Geggel on Twitter @LauraGeggel and Google+. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Live Science.

When you think of a spider, you might think of something big and hairy like a tarantula, or something small and venomous like a black widow. But what about the jumping spider? Jumping spiders are the largest spider family (Salticidae) with over 4,000 species worldwide and about 300 in the United States. Jumping spiders are distinguished from other spider species by their eight eyes, often furry appearance, colorful markings, powerful front legs, and of course; her incredible jumping skills.

With all of these unique qualities, we are left with the question; What do jumping spiders eat? Here we explore the favorite foods of jumping spiders and how they hunt their prey. Then we compare what wild jumping spiders eat to what pet jumping spiders eat. In conclusion, we will talk a little more about what baby jumping spiders eat and how they grow into adults.

jumping spider diet

Jumping spiders eat flies, wasps, grasshoppers and more. They are predominantly carnivores. iStock.com/ViniSouza128

Jumping spiders eat insects such as flies, moths, and grasshoppers. They are predominantly carnivores, although they have been known to eat nectar.

In general, jumping spiders will eat anything they can get their chelicerae (jaws) around. Flies, mealworms, moths and other small, defenseless prey are their favorites. Jumping spiders will also eat crickets, cockroaches, and other spiders when given the opportunity. Your loot includes:

fruit flies

Blue and green bottle flies

fly larvae

grasshoppers

Katydids

wasps

bees

butterflies

moths

grilling

other spiders

worms

mealworms

waxworms

Although jumping spiders are primarily carnivores, they cannot be classified as obligate carnivores as they have often been observed drinking nectar. There is even a species of jumping spider, Bagheera kiplingi, that mainly eats plant matter.

Jumping spiders have also been known to occasionally eat ants, although ants are a far cry from their favorite prey. Ants, unlike most other insects that eat jumping spiders, have impressive defenses, making them a dangerous meal. However, there are some species of jumping spiders that specialize in anteaters and have hunting strategies specifically designed to keep them away from the ant’s strong jaws or acid spray.

How do jumping spiders hunt?

Jumping spiders hunt by leaping at their prey from great distances iStock.com/memcockers

Jumping spiders have excellent eyesight, with eight eyes and a nearly 360-degree field of vision. They use their great vision to spot prey like locusts or flies. Once they spot the unfortunate target, they reel out a silk cord and attach it to something solid. Next, the jumping spider uses the silk as a safety tether, leaping into the air and landing on its prey, delivering a venomous bite that quickly incapacitates the victim.

Although jumping spiders are typically small, under an inch at most, they will attack prey many times their own size. Jumping spiders eat all kinds of insects and have been known to kill grasshoppers, dwarfing them in size. To aid in their hunt, jumping spiders have large, powerful front legs that they use to hold prey in place. Unlike other spider species, jumping spiders do not use webs to capture their prey. In fact, the only silk they spin is for their safety lines and the occasional cocoons they spin for molting, laying eggs, or wintering.

What do jumping spiders eat?

Wildly jumping spiders will eat almost any insect unfortunate enough to cross their path. Many species of jumping spiders are constantly on the move and constantly hunting. Some species sit and wait for prey to cross their path. But no matter what hunting method the jumping spider uses, they all eat roughly the same thing; Insects. Wild jumping spiders eat flies, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and even other spiders. They are primarily carnivores, although they do drink nectar, officially classifying them as omnivores.

While impressive, jumping spiders are not dangerous to humans. They generally don’t bite unless they could be crushed. The bite of the jumping spider is extremely mild and often leaves no marks. This makes them a popular spider for people who enjoy keeping spiders as pets.

What to feed your pet jumping spider

Captive jumping spiders can be fed flies, grasshoppers, or mealworms iStock.com/19695866

Many people keep jumping spiders as pets. They can be purchased but are more commonly caught outdoors in flower or vegetable gardens. Pet jumping spiders only need to be fed about every three days, although it’s not uncommon for them to go a few weeks without food. Captive jumping spiders primarily eat crickets, flies, and mealworms.

However, jumping spider owners should be careful as some insects can actually harm their pet jumping spider. If crickets are not eaten immediately, they should be removed from the enclosure as they can harm the jumping spider. This is especially true if the jumping spider is older or about to molt. Likewise, owners should never attempt to feed ants to their jumping spider. Ants can be dangerous and even kill the jumping spider, especially when it is young.

What Do Baby Jumping Spiders Eat?

Baby jumping spiders eat more than adult jumping spiders. They hunt insects just like the adults, albeit smaller insects. Young jumping spiders also drink nectar, making them omnivores, although they are mostly carnivores. Small crickets, mealworms and waxworms are ideal prey for young jumping spiders.

In this article, we go into detail about keeping jumping spiders. All important points are explained briefly and understandably and support you in caring for your jumping spider.

The jumping spider species most widespread in terraristics is called Phidippus regius. These can be found in the southeastern United States, such as Florida, but also on various Caribbean islands such as Cuba or the Bahamas. Summer and warmth are automatically associated with these regions. This is exactly what you should consider when it comes to the right attitude parameters for Phidippus regius. The 1.5-2 cm large Phidippus regius not only impress with their cute eyes, but also with the different local forms that are represented in the hobby. By local forms we mean populations of Phidippus regius from different regions, which are often colored differently. For example, Phidippus regius ‘Everglades’ are typically bright orange, while Phidippus regius ‘Bahamas’ tend to be grey, white, or dark brown.

But now to the right attitude:

Can I keep several jumping spiders in one terrarium?

When keeping jumping spiders, it should be noted that Phidippus regius are not social spiders. Conspecifics do not miss them, but also perceive them as food. For this reason they should be kept alone in the terrarium. So if you want to keep several jumping spiders, you need a separate container for each animal.

What does the abbreviation FH mean?

Jumping spiders go through different stages of development.

Starting from the egg, they go through various larval stages in the cocoon. The larvae can only take in limited amounts of food, do not yet produce spider silk and are not yet fully developed motor skills. In the first phase after hatching from the egg, the small jumping spiders feed exclusively on a yolk sac located on the abdomen. The first feeding skin (FH1) is the first stage of the young spiders after the larval stages, in which the jumping spiders independently hunt and capture prey. After each additional molt, the number after the abbreviation FH increases by one.

Do I need lighting to keep jumping spiders?

Jumping spiders are diurnal and hunt their prey by sight. For this reason, bright lighting in the terrarium is very important for keeping jumping spiders. Without enough light, the tiny spiders tend to be dormant or may not find their food. The lighting time should be about twelve hours a day. This can be automated with a timer. When choosing lamps, make sure you use daylight lamps.

What do I have to consider with the temperature?

As already mentioned, Phidippus regius come from very warm regions of the world. For this reason, the temperature in the terrarium should be at least 26°C for species-appropriate keeping of jumping spiders. Even better is 28-30°C. If the temperature is too low, the jumping spiders become very small or stop eating. A heat lamp is a means of achieving these temperatures. It is best to test the temperature in the terrarium with a thermometer before putting the animal inside. The upper part of the terrarium should reach a temperature of 28-30 °C. The lower part of the terrarium can be heated to a temperature of 10 °C. The lower part of the terrarium can be 1-2 °C lower. This creates different heat zones in the terrarium and the jumping spider can choose the optimal temperature itself.

Which terrarium is suitable for keeping jumping spiders?

Terrariums with a greater height than length and width are particularly suitable as accommodation. Terrariums or containers measuring 10 × 17 × 21 cm to 20 × 20 × 30 cm are ideal. You can also keep the animals in cans of a similar size. Ensure good air circulation, e.g. in the form of a terrarium with double ventilation.

Jumping spiders usually like to stay in the upper part of the terrarium and spin their web there.

For this reason, the substrate of the terrarium is relatively secondary. However, if you want to integrate plants or soil police into the terrarium, forest humus, rotten wood and leaves are the optimal substrate. The terrarium should be equipped with many climbing opportunities that reach in all possible directions of the terrarium. This offers the jumping spider enough space to walk, move and hide. In addition, real plants not only beautify every terrarium, but also offer the animals additional hiding places.

It is important to know that the animals should only move into their final terrarium from a body size of approx. 1 cm. Before that, they may not be able to find their food due to the large space. Below is a list of which containers are suitable for the spiders depending on their size:

FH1-3:

FH4-6:

FH6 and larger:

food and water

Like all living things, jumping spiders need food and water to survive. Two to three times a week, the animals should be provided with both to keep them healthy and well. The best way to hydrate jumping spiders is to use a spray bottle to spray water on one side of the terrarium two to three times a week. Enough droplets should stick to the jar for 2-4 hours, giving the spider enough time to drink from it. They can also choose which side the spider web is on as they also like to drink from the spider silk.

Just like the water, the jumping spiders should be fed two to three times a week. Basically, Phidippus regius can catch food 1-1.5 times their size. In addition, when keeping jumping spiders, care should be taken to offer a wide variety of food animals, as these contain different nutrients that are important for the spider. If the jumping spider doesn’t accept a prey item, you can simply try a smaller prey item the next time you feed it. Food such as crickets or grasshoppers should be removed from the terrarium if not eaten. This protects the jumping spider during moulting, as it can be eaten by these prey animals during this time. Below is a list of which food animals are suitable for which jumping spider size:

FH1-2:

FH3-4:

FH5-7:

from FH7:

You can find out more about food in our article Jumping spider food – the right diet!

The keeping of jumping spiders is therefore not particularly complicated and even beginners can deal with the topic. If you observe and implement the points listed, you will have a lot of fun with the cute jumping spiders.

You can find our offspring for sale here:

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below the article.

Jumping spiders are a large group of spiders, consisting of about 4,000 species worldwide. There are about 300 species in the United States. Jumping spiders mainly live in outdoor areas such as gardens, trees, and forests. They can enter houses while hunting their prey. These spiders are carnivores, feeding on smaller insects and spiders. Jumping spiders don’t spin webs to hunt their prey. They have powerful vision that helps them catch their prey by sneaking and jumping. These spiders are not dangerous to humans and pets, as they generally do not bite. But they can bite if they sense danger. The symptoms of a jumping spider bite are mild and heal within a few hours.

What is a jumping spider? Jumping spiders belong to the Salticidae family. The most common jumping spiders belong to the genus Phidippus and are known as Phidippus audax. They are relatively smaller than other spiders and are common in homes and gardens. These spiders have impressive vision. They don’t need to build a web or sense vibrations to catch their prey. Instead, they rely on their vision to detect the movement of their prey, and then catch them by leaping directly at them.

These spiders can jump 10 to 40 times larger than their actual body size. They are more active during the day when hunting their prey. These spiders are also known for their mating dance. Male spiders make intricate movements to send courtship signals to females. These movements discourage female spiders from eating male spiders. When a female accepts a male’s invitation, she allows for safe mating.

Photo credit: Opo Terser/Wikipedia (CC BY 2.0)

Recent studies show that arachnids show “true cognition.”

Despite having a brain the size of a poppy seed, jumping spiders are actually pretty smart. A new study shows that many species of jumping spiders plan complicated routes and detours to reach their prey — a trait usually seen in larger creatures.

Jumping spiders of the subfamily Spartaeinae are known for their bright colors, elaborate mating dance with intricate footwork, extremely keen vision, and fantastic awareness of three-dimensional space.

“Their vision is on par with that of vertebrates,” Damian Elias of the University of California, Berkeley, who was not involved in the new research, told National Geographic. “And that allows them to do things that are physically impossible for other animals of that size.”

What kind of prey do jumping spiders hunt? Easy, other spiders. A type of jumping spider, Portia fimbriata has shown that it can sneak up on prey spiders and even find hidden prey by visualizing its location and planning ways to get there.

But the question is: can other jumping spiders do it too?

To test this theory, Robert Jackson of New Zealand’s University of Canterbury and his colleague Fiona Cross set up an obstacle course in which 14 different species of Spartaeinae were tested. Since these spiders do not like to get wet, the course consisted of a tower on a platform surrounded by ditches, and at the top of the tower a hungry spider could see two distant boxes: one with spider fragments and the other with leaves.

To reach the food, the spider had to crawl down the tower onto a platform and then traverse one of two pillars that led to separate hanging walkways – one to the food and one to the leaves.

To make the course more challenging, the researchers emptied the boxes as soon as the spider began descending the tower to remove the spider’s visual memories of where the food is.

Amazingly, every species of jumping spider completed the obstacle course very well, making it to the box of food, according to the study published in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Even if the spider chose the wrong path, it would pause and appear confused. “Their expectations of what they set out to do were not met,” Cross told National Geographic. “That wasn’t part of their plan.”

The results of the work seem to indicate that jumping spiders show “true cognition.” In other words, they think before they act, and when their plan doesn’t work, they adapt and take a detour.

“What they’re doing amazes me,” Cross said.

The researchers hope to one day understand how these intelligent spiders think.

British spiders often come to our homes in search of a warm place, especially in autumn and winter. From buzzing spiders to closet spiders, you can spot these creepy crawlies in corners around the home and garden.

Most UK spiders found in UK homes are harmless to humans, but many people are still afraid of them. Whether it’s in the corner of our living room, in the bathroom, or hanging quietly from the ceiling, these are the most common British spiders you’re likely to see. Take a look at the ones you might discover…

1. Daddy Long Legs or Basement Spiders

Photonewman Getty Images

One of the most common British spiders is the Daddy Long Leg. The skinny, scrawny spiders, also commonly known as cellar spiders, have extremely long legs and are often found in corners of the house, especially in late summer. During the day this species remains incredibly calm, but if disturbed it will vibrate in its web to deter attackers.

2. False widow spider

Steve Hardiman Getty Images

Although these British spiders aren’t usually dangerous to humans, they might give you a little pinch on the skin if they get caught in your clothing. These bites don’t cause much irritation, but it’s always a good idea to see your GP if irritation persists for a long period of time. Most false widows are tan in color with white markings on their backs. As the weather cools, you may notice the eight-legged creatures coming into your home to keep warm.

3. Giant house spider

CBCK-Christine Getty Images

The Giant House Spider is one of the fastest spiders around and can run at an impressive half a meter per second. It can be identified by its large, brown body and is commonly found in UK homes in autumn. Places to spot them include behind the fireplace, in the bath, or under the sofa.

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4. Closet spider

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Closet spiders get their name because they have adapted to living in our closets. They are also known as dark comb-foot spiders. This spider lives in the UK but also abroad, where it is often confused with the infamous black widow in places where more venomous spiders live.

5. Lace Web Spider

Jacqueline Kelsall Shutterstock

The Lace Web Spider is usually around 4 to 15mm long and can be seen alive in the holes in walls and bark. These are very common and widespread in the UK so don’t be surprised if you find them around your home in the autumn and winter, especially after rain. Their web is made of fine silk (hence their name) and has a woolly texture.

6. Zebra Spider

Erik Karits Getty Images

The zebra spider – or the jumping spider – can be identified by its black and white body. Although smaller compared to others, this species can move very quickly (especially when it feels it is being attacked). April and October are the most likely months to see this spider.

7. Cardinal Spider

Saurav Karki Getty Images

One of the largest spiders in the UK is the cardinal spider or Tegenaria parietina – which can grow up to 14cm. You can recognize this species by its reddish-brown body and find that it mainly lives in building walls. They do not tend to bite humans, but have been known to bite when threatened.

Cardinal spiders can survive for months without food and take their name from a 14th-century legend that claims Cardinal Wolsey saw one at Hampton Court and was afraid of it.

8. Money Spider

Shutterstock

The money spider is a family of very small spiders, often known as leaf weavers. They are often spotted near the ground on garden plants, in tall grass, or around flower pots outdoors. With a length of around five millimeters, they are small compared to others found in households. You can recognize the spider by its shiny brown body.

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9. Orb Weaver Spider

Power focus photography Getty Images

Orb-weaver spiders are found between July and October, building webs in gardens across the country (and helping keep the flies away). They are eight millimeters long and get their name from the large spherical web they spin.

10. Buzzing Spider

Ines Carrara Getty Images

Buzzing spiders get their name thanks to the male behavior of vibrating on leaves to attract mates.

In the UK these spiders are predominantly found in the south and prefer to hide in brush and trees rather than on the ground where they feel more vulnerable.

11. Cave Spider

Ian_Redding Getty Images

As the name suggests, this British spider is more likely to be found in a burrow than a house. They like dark places with very little light and can be found all over the country. Cave spiders are 10 mm to 15 mm long.

12. Crab Spider

Ines Carrara Getty Images

This is another British spider that you’re more likely to find outdoors than in your home. The common crab spider is most commonly spotted across the country from March to August and its preferred habitat is low-lying vegetation.

When hunting, the crab spider jumps onto the back of its prey and pierces it from behind.

13. Cucumber Green Orb Spider

Sandra Standbridge Getty Images

These British spiders got their name thanks to their green coloring. They can also be identified by a red spot under their abdomen. Cucumber spiders are found in bushes and hedges and are most commonly seen in the UK from April to October. They catch prey by waiting for flying insects to fall prey to their web of orbs.

14. European garden spider

Connor Skidmore Getty Images

Found throughout the UK and Europe, as well as North America, the European garden spider goes by many names, including diadem spider, orangie, garden spider, crowned orb-weaver, and pumpkin spider.

15. Four point ball spider

Ger Bosma Getty Images

Identified by the four white spots on their balls, this is a British species of spider, with females being twice the size of males at 17mm. This is the UK’s heaviest spider and it prefers a habitat in gardens, wooded areas, swamps or long grasslands.

16. Green huntsman spider

Henrik_L Getty Images

The huntsman spider is known in other countries to be dangerous, but the UK has its own less harmful version – the green huntsman spider. They are very rare but can occasionally be found in woodland from May to September and are most common in southern England and Ireland. Their green coloring gives them perfect camouflage.

17. Jumping Spider

xbn83 Getty Images

Jumping spiders are part of the largest family of spiders in the UK. They have excellent eyesight and use it to leap when hunting their prey. They can be recognized mainly by their four pairs of eyes. They are also very small.

18. Labyrinth Spider

Pavel Abramov Getty Images

The labyrinth spider is most commonly found in hedgerows and tall grass in Wales and England. These large spiders get their name because they build webs that guide their prey down an intricate labyrinth of tunnels where they can eat undisturbed.

19. Running crab spider

Oleg Marchak Getty Images

The walking crab spider is very small and is found in Wales and England between April and October.

20. Sector Spider or Missing Sector Orb Weaver

Mike O’Brien Getty Images

The sector spider (also known as the missing sector orb weaver or the silver-sided sector spider) is a British house-only spider. They often hang in window frames. They are solitary spiders and the female can be identified by a leaf-like marking on her rump.

21. Spitting Spider

ViniSouza128 Getty Images

With long, slender legs, the spitting spider has a characteristic “slow walking behavior”. Instead of catching its prey in a web, it attacks flies and mosquitoes by spitting a mixture of sticky silk to catch them.

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When you think of a spider, you might think of something big and hairy like a tarantula, or something small and venomous like a black widow. But what about the jumping spider? Jumping spiders are the largest spider family (Salticidae) with over 4,000 species worldwide and about 300 in the United States. Jumping spiders are distinguished from other spider species by their eight eyes, often furry appearance, colorful markings, powerful front legs, and of course; her incredible jumping skills.

With all of these unique qualities, we are left with the question; What do jumping spiders eat? Here we explore the favorite foods of jumping spiders and how they hunt their prey. Then we compare what wild jumping spiders eat to what pet jumping spiders eat. In conclusion, we will talk a little more about what baby jumping spiders eat and how they grow into adults.

jumping spider diet

Jumping spiders eat flies, wasps, grasshoppers and more. They are predominantly carnivores. iStock.com/ViniSouza128

Jumping spiders eat insects such as flies, moths, and grasshoppers. They are predominantly carnivores, although they have been known to eat nectar.

In general, jumping spiders will eat anything they can get their chelicerae (jaws) around. Flies, mealworms, moths and other small, defenseless prey are their favorites. Jumping spiders will also eat crickets, cockroaches, and other spiders when given the opportunity. Your loot includes:

fruit flies

Blue and green bottle flies

fly larvae

grasshoppers

Katydids

wasps

bees

butterflies

moths

grilling

other spiders

worms

mealworms

waxworms

Although jumping spiders are primarily carnivores, they cannot be classified as obligate carnivores as they have often been observed drinking nectar. There is even a species of jumping spider, Bagheera kiplingi, that mainly eats plant matter.

Jumping spiders have also been known to occasionally eat ants, although ants are a far cry from their favorite prey. Ants, unlike most other insects that eat jumping spiders, have impressive defenses, making them a dangerous meal. However, there are some species of jumping spiders that specialize in anteaters and have hunting strategies specifically designed to keep them away from the ant’s strong jaws or acid spray.

How do jumping spiders hunt?

Jumping spiders hunt by leaping at their prey from great distances iStock.com/memcockers

Jumping spiders have excellent eyesight, with eight eyes and a nearly 360-degree field of vision. They use their great vision to spot prey like locusts or flies. Once they spot the unfortunate target, they reel out a silk cord and attach it to something solid. Next, the jumping spider uses the silk as a safety tether, leaping into the air and landing on its prey, delivering a venomous bite that quickly incapacitates the victim.

Although jumping spiders are typically small, under an inch at most, they will attack prey many times their own size. Jumping spiders eat all kinds of insects and have been known to kill grasshoppers, dwarfing them in size. To aid in their hunt, jumping spiders have large, powerful front legs that they use to hold prey in place. Unlike other spider species, jumping spiders do not use webs to capture their prey. In fact, the only silk they spin is for their safety lines and the occasional cocoons they spin for molting, laying eggs, or wintering.

What do jumping spiders eat?

Wildly jumping spiders will eat almost any insect unfortunate enough to cross their path. Many species of jumping spiders are constantly on the move and constantly hunting. Some species sit and wait for prey to cross their path. But no matter what hunting method the jumping spider uses, they all eat roughly the same thing; Insects. Wild jumping spiders eat flies, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and even other spiders. They are primarily carnivores, although they do drink nectar, officially classifying them as omnivores.

While impressive, jumping spiders are not dangerous to humans. They generally don’t bite unless they could be crushed. The bite of the jumping spider is extremely mild and often leaves no marks. This makes them a popular spider for people who enjoy keeping spiders as pets.

What to feed your pet jumping spider

Captive jumping spiders can be fed flies, grasshoppers, or mealworms iStock.com/19695866

Many people keep jumping spiders as pets. They can be purchased but are more commonly caught outdoors in flower or vegetable gardens. Pet jumping spiders only need to be fed about every three days, although it’s not uncommon for them to go a few weeks without food. Captive jumping spiders primarily eat crickets, flies, and mealworms.

However, jumping spider owners should be careful as some insects can actually harm their pet jumping spider. If crickets are not eaten immediately, they should be removed from the enclosure as they can harm the jumping spider. This is especially true if the jumping spider is older or about to molt. Likewise, owners should never attempt to feed ants to their jumping spider. Ants can be dangerous and even kill the jumping spider, especially when it is young.

What Do Baby Jumping Spiders Eat?

Baby jumping spiders eat more than adult jumping spiders. They hunt insects just like the adults, albeit smaller insects. Young jumping spiders also drink nectar, making them omnivores, although they are mostly carnivores. Small crickets, mealworms and waxworms are ideal prey for young jumping spiders.

Jumping spiders are a large group of spiders, consisting of about 4,000 species worldwide. There are about 300 species in the United States. Jumping spiders mainly live in outdoor areas such as gardens, trees, and forests. They can enter houses while hunting their prey. These spiders are carnivores, feeding on smaller insects and spiders. Jumping spiders don’t spin webs to hunt their prey. They have powerful vision that helps them catch their prey by sneaking and jumping. These spiders are not dangerous to humans and pets, as they generally do not bite. But they can bite if they sense danger. The symptoms of a jumping spider bite are mild and heal within a few hours.

What is a jumping spider? Jumping spiders belong to the Salticidae family. The most common jumping spiders belong to the genus Phidippus and are known as Phidippus audax. They are relatively smaller than other spiders and are common in homes and gardens. These spiders have impressive vision. They don’t need to build a web or sense vibrations to catch their prey. Instead, they rely on their vision to detect the movement of their prey, and then catch them by leaping directly at them.

These spiders can jump 10 to 40 times larger than their actual body size. They are more active during the day when hunting their prey. These spiders are also known for their mating dance. Male spiders make intricate movements to send courtship signals to females. These movements discourage female spiders from eating male spiders. When a female accepts a male’s invitation, she allows for safe mating.