Jumping spiders make great pets for both new and experienced owners alike. They aren’t dangerous and are naturally curious and active. This makes them interesting to watch and easy to handle. Their intelligence also endears them to many owners, as does their easy care requirements. Combined with their small statures, these spiders are a strong contender for one of the best pets out there. However, the last benefit of jumping spiders is also a drawback: they don’t require a long-term commitment.
1. Jumping Spiders Aren’t Dangerous
Although most spiders are venomous, their venom is too weak to seriously hurt a human. Jumping spiders are so small that they don’t even come close to ranking among the most venomous spiders. If a jumping spider did bite you, the feeling will be weaker than a bee sting.
Additionally, jumping spiders are not aggressive. Pet owners essentially have to deliberately bait a jumping spider into biting; these shy spiders prefer to run and hide. Jumping spiders are safe to hold with bare hands and take to handling well.
If a jumping spider does bite you, simply wash your hands and you should be fine. The exception to this is if you are allergic to spider venom. Anyone with allergies should seek medical attention as a precaution, regardless of whether you experience symptoms.
2. Jumping Spiders Are Curious
Jumping spiders have a natural curiosity and drive to explore their environment, both in their enclosure and outside when you handle them. One of the fun facts about spiders is that they use their silk to create a sort of “safety line” that anchors them, removes any danger of falling. When you first purchase a jumping spider, they will likely rove their enclosure to establish familiarity. Similarly, if you ever change their enclosure, they will spend time investigating everything new.
Because of their curiosity, jumping spiders make great pets for any owner that like to engage in enrichment opportunities. Unlike other arachnids that will hide, jumping spiders are eager to try new activities and will interact with you.
3. Jumping Spiders Are Active
As their name implies, jumping spiders are active pets and will spend plenty of time jumping, climbing, and otherwise moving around their enclosures. Whereas other spiders and tarantulas are not active, jumping spiders will spend hours exploring arboreal enclosures. Jumping spiders are also able to climb even smooth textures, such as the walls of acrylic or glass enclosures. Jumping spiders especially appreciate small nooks and crannies in which they can build nests and hammocks.
A bonus for many owners is that jumping spiders follow a diurnal schedule. This means that they are active when you are: they explore during the day and retreat to sleep at night. Unlike some other arachnids and many exotic pets, you won’t have to wait until the evening or early morning to see your jumping spider.
4. Jumping Spiders Are Intelligent
Many people equate an animal’s size with their intelligence, but studies have shown that jumping spiders are cognitively advanced far beyond other spider species. Jumping spiders are able to mimic other species’ behavior for camouflage, change plans of attack for prey, and even do basic math. Combined with their visual acuity, this means that jumping spiders are able to recognize different members of their own species and become familiar with human caretakers, as well.
Jumping spiders can also understand patterns. For pet owners, this means that your jumping spider can become adapted to a specific routine or schedule. Feeding times therefore become anticipated, as do any regularly occurring enrichment activities.
5. Jumping Spiders Have Easy Care Requirements
Adult jumping spiders can be fed every two or three days and enjoy insects such as flies or small crickets, which are available at most commercial pet stores. Jumping spiders aren’t picky eaters and typically take their food without complaint. Owners also don’t have to worry about messy water bowls. Jumping spiders prefer to drink droplets of water, so misting the enclosure daily works just fine.
A jumping spider’s enclosure is also easy to set up. The enclosure just needs to be accessible for feeding, have ventilation holes, and allow light to get in. Jumping spiders are typically fine with the average room temperature, so heaters are also not a concern. Most pet stores keep small terrariums that will work, but you can also create your own. Just make sure your enclosure is secure: jumping spiders are also adept at escape thanks to their intelligence.
6. Jumping Spiders Don’t Take Up Much Space
Jumping spiders are incredibly small and a far cry from the largest spiders in the world. Of the more than 5,000 species of jumping spider, the largest still only comes close to one inch in body length. Most can fit on the tip of your finger. Their enclosures can, therefore, also be much smaller. These small enclosures can easily be tucked away just about anywhere in your home as long as they are not in direct sunlight.
Within the enclosure itself, jumping spiders are adaptable to just about any environment. While some owners prefer to recreate a natural habitat, others have created miniature human spaces. A tiny coffee shop, living room, or library gives a jumping spider just as much enrichment as plants and driftwood. This means that you can get as creative as you want while still providing your jumping spider with an appropriate enclosure.
7. Jumping Spiders Do Not Live Very Long
This last reason jumping spiders make good pets can actually be a positive or negative, depending on your views. Jumping spiders have shorter lifespans and generally live about one year, although some species can live up to three years. For anyone who already loves jumping spiders, this short lifespan is a big drawback. But for new pet owners, it makes an already exotic pet much more approachable.
This shorter lifespan makes jumping spiders a short-term commitment, which is less daunting for any pet owners who are new to keeping jumping spiders. Female tarantulas and other types of spiders can live up to a decade or more, so jumping spiders, by comparison, are ideal for anyone who wants to try having an arachnid pet.
