Jumping Spider Care Guide: Housing, Feeding & Handling
With their oversized front eyes and famously curious personalities, jumping spiders (family Salticidae) have become some of the most popular pocket pets in the exotics hobby, and for good reason. Species like the regal jumping spider and Phidippus audax are small, active, and surprisingly interactive compared with many other invertebrates.
But their small size does not mean they require no care. The right enclosure, appropriate prey, proper moisture levels, and careful handling all play a role in keeping a jumping spider pet healthy.
In this guide, let’s talk about what a jumping spider needs to thrive, from enclosure size to handling.
What Is a Jumping Spider?
Jumping spiders are active hunters that rely entirely on their exceptional eyesight to locate and capture prey. Unlike web building spiders, they are true spiders that hunt by stalking, and they need plenty of space to move, explore, and exhibit their natural hunting behaviors.
They are delicate animals—more fragile than most invertebrates keepers encounter—but their intelligence and personality are their best characteristics
Is It Safe to Handle?
Yes. Jumping spiders are generally harmless to humans and are not known for being aggressive. When threatened, they are more likely to retreat or attempt to escape than confront a person.
Enclosure & Housing Setup
Pet jumping spiders thrive in captivity when their care mimics the foliage-rich, humid environments where they naturally live. They are faster growers on the warm side, and they absolutely cannot tolerate mold in their enclosures.
Find your true spider enclosure here
Hatchling to Juvenile (3x3x4 Minimum)
Size: Start slings in a 3 by 3 by 4 inch enclosure. Cover any holes with mesh to prevent escapes. Jumping spider slings can be incredibly tiny and resourceful.
Furnishing: Add hiding places using cork bark, artificial plants, or plastic décor. Many keepers use bioactive setups with live plants and substrate, but this is optional. A simple, clean plastic enclosure works if you commit to maintenance.
Substrate: If you use substrate, add about an inch. The goal is to maintain structure without creating a soggy mess.
Adult (6x6x8 or 8x8 Minimum)
Size: Adults need at least a 6 by 6 by 8 inch vertical enclosure, though an 8 by 8 cube gives them more room to hunt and exercise. They are active animals—the larger enclosure allows them to display their full personality.
Furnishing: Provide multiple surfaces like cork bark, plastic plants, or live foliage. Jumping spiders appreciate having places to hunt from and retreat to.
Jumping Spider Husbandry Essentials
Feeding Schedule & Prey Size
Feed prey sized at roughly one-quarter of the spider's leg span. For smaller slings, this might be tiny flies or aphids. For adults, small crickets, roaches, or flies work well.
Offer food 2 to 3 times per week. Jumping spiders are active hunters and usually feed hard when prey is presented. Remove uneaten prey after a few hours to keep the enclosure clean and prevent injury.
Water & Humidity
Mist lightly every other day. Jumping spiders live in foliage in nature, which means they depend on humid air and water droplets on leaves.
Ventilation is non-negotiable. Mold is the number one killer of jumping spiders in captivity. Ensure your enclosure has mesh sides or adequate airflow so moisture evaporates quickly. A fan in the room helps tremendously.
Temperature & Lighting
Keep jumping spiders at 75 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Many species prefer it even warmer at 80 to 85 degrees to accelerate growth and feeding response. Warmer temperatures also bring out their natural activity levels and hunting behaviors.
Provide normal household lighting or ambient natural light. A photoperiod of 12 hours light to 12 hours dark is ideal. Jumping spiders are diurnal and depend on sight, so they thrive with consistent day-night cycles.
Handling & Temperament
Pet jumping spiders are naturally curious and often approach you inside the enclosure. While their curiosity is endearing, remember they are fragile animals. Avoid handling them unless necessary. They can live rich, fulfilling lives without ever being taken out.
Molting Care
Molting is a normal and essential part of a jumping spider's life. Because spiders have an external skeleton, they must shed their old exoskeleton as they grow.
Molting is also one of the most vulnerable times for a jumping spider, which makes proper care especially important.
Signs Your Jumping Spider Is About to Molt
A jumping spider preparing to molt may:
- Become less active
- Stop eating
- Spend more time inside its silk retreat
- Build a thicker silk retreat
- Become less responsive than usual
Don't immediately assume something is wrong if your pet jumping spider stops eating or disappears into its retreat. These can be normal signs that a molt is approaching.
What Should I Do During a Jumping Spider Molt?
Leave your spider alone. Do not attempt to handle it, remove it from its retreat, or help it shed its old exoskeleton. Avoid introducing live prey directly into its retreat while it is molting.
Maintain appropriate enclosure conditions and allow the spider to complete the process without unnecessary disturbance.
Comparing Popular Jumping Spider Species
Two of the most popular jumping spider species in the hobby are the regal jumping spider (Phidippus regius) and bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax). Both are active, visual hunters, but they differ in size and appearance.
| Regal Jumping Spider | Bold Jumping Spider | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Phidippus regius | Phidippus audax |
| Family | Salticidae | Salticidae |
| Size | Relatively large | Small to medium |
| Appearance | Colorful and highly variable | Dark with distinctive markings |
| Behavior | Active, curious hunter | Active, curious hunter |
| Popularity | Very popular | Very popular |
Tips When Buying Jumping Spiders for Sale
Once you've decided to add a jumping spider to your collection, take the time to choose a healthy animal from a reputable source.
Captive-bred jumping spiders are generally a good choice for keepers because you can often get more information about their species, age, feeding history, and life stage. A healthy jumping spider should also generally appear alert and capable of moving normally. Look for an intact body, normal movement, and appropriate body condition.
When looking at jumping spiders for sale, ask the seller:
- What species is the spider?
- How old is it?
- When did it last molt?
- What has it been eating?
- When did it last eat?
- Is it captive-bred?
- Can its sex be determined?
- What care does the seller recommend for that particular species?
A reputable seller should be willing to answer questions and provide information about the animal you're purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do jumping spiders bite?
Yes, but bites are uncommon. Their venom is also considered medically insignificant to humans, but it may cause temporary localized pain, redness, or irritation.
What do jumping spiders eat?
Jumping spiders eat appropriately sized live prey such as flightless fruit flies, small flies, small crickets, and appropriately sized roaches. Juveniles generally eat 2 to 3 times per week, while adults may eat around once or twice per week.
How long do jumping spiders live?
Most jumping spider pets live around 1 to 3 years, although lifespan varies by species, sex, environmental conditions, and individual health. Females typically live longer than male jumping spiders.
Can I keep a jumping spider in a small enclosure?
Yes. Jumping spiders don't require a large enclosure, but they do need enough vertical space to climb, explore, hunt, and build silk retreats. A small, well-ventilated vertical enclosure is generally more appropriate than a large aquarium-style habitat, particularly for juveniles.
How big are jumping spiders?
Jumping spiders are generally small, with many commonly kept species measuring around ¼ to ¾ inch in body length as adults. Their overall size varies by species and sex. For example, regal jumping spiders (Phidippus regius) are among the larger species commonly kept as pets, while other jumping spiders may remain considerably smaller.
Your New Eight-Legged Friend is Waiting...
Jumping spiders are remarkable animals that bring curiosity, personality, and incredible visual hunting to the hobby. They may be tiny, but the right setup makes a big difference in their health and well-being.
Looking for a captive-bred jumping spider to add to your collection? Explore Exotics Unlimited's jumping spiders for sale today.
