How To Feed A Jumping Spider

How to Feed Your Jumping Spider: A Comprehensive Guide

Jumping spiders are fascinating creatures to keep as pets. Their intelligence, vibrant colors, and playful personalities make them captivating additions to any home. However, providing them with the proper diet is crucial for their health and longevity. This guide will comprehensively cover everything you need to know about feeding your jumping spider.

Understanding Your Jumping Spider's Dietary Needs

Jumping spiders are carnivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of live insects. They are active hunters, relying on their excellent eyesight and agility to catch prey. The size of the prey should be appropriate to the size of your spider; too large and it could injure your spider, too small and it won't be a satisfying or nutritious meal.

What to Feed Your Jumping Spider

The best food sources for your jumping spider are small, live insects. Suitable options include:

• Fruit flies (Drosophila): Excellent for spiderlings and small adult spiders.
• Springtails (Collembola): Tiny, easy to culture, and a good source of food.
• Houseflies: A good size for larger adult spiders. (Note: Ensure these aren't exposed to pesticides)
• Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor): Offer occasionally as a treat. These are slightly larger and tougher. Be mindful of the size.
• Aphids: A good source of protein, but care should be taken to avoid pesticides.

Avoid feeding your jumping spider anything that has been exposed to pesticides or chemicals. Always source your insects from reputable suppliers or culture them yourself.

How Often to Feed Your Jumping Spider

The frequency of feeding depends largely on the size and age of your spider.

• Spiderlings: Need to be fed daily or every other day. Provide several small insects at each feeding.
• Adult Spiders: Can be fed every 2-3 days. The amount of food should correspond to the spider's size; a larger spider will require more food than a smaller spider.

Observe your spider's behavior. If it seems less interested in food, or if its abdomen appears full, it's likely had enough to eat. It is better to slightly underfeed than overfeed a jumping spider.

Feeding Techniques and Considerations

• Live Food Only: Always provide live insects. Jumping spiders are ambush predators and require the stimulation of a live prey item.
• Providing Water: Ensure a source of water is always available. This can be a small drop of water on the substrate or a tiny water dish. Dehydration is a serious threat to jumping spiders.
• Removing Leftover Food: Remove any uneaten insects after a few hours to prevent the enclosure from becoming foul.
• Variety: While a staple diet is important, introducing some variety into the diet can improve your spider's overall health.
• Gut-Loading Insects: Consider gut-loading the insects you feed your spider before giving them to it. This means feeding the insects nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, and high-quality insect food for several days prior to feeding them to the spider. This improves the nutritional value of the insect and benefits your spider.

Troubleshooting Common Feeding Issues

• Spider Refuses to Eat: If your spider is refusing food, there might be underlying health issues. Check for signs of illness, or consider changing the type of prey being offered. Ensure suitable temperature and humidity levels in the enclosure.
• Spider Escapes During Feeding: Use tweezers to handle the insects and prevent escape. The enclosure should be appropriately sized and well-secured.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your jumping spider receives the proper nutrition for a healthy and happy life. Remember to always prioritize the well-being of your pet spider and provide a safe and enriching environment.