How to Catch and Care for a Jumping Spider

Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Updated: September 15, 2019

Explore this Article Capturing a Jumping Spider Caring for Your Pet Article Summary Questions & Answers Related Articles References

Spiders have earned a bad reputation for being creepy and crawly. But they can actually make really fun and interesting pets. The jumping spider is a good bet. It is not considered dangerous, and it can entertain you with its spectacular hopping skills. Although it can be a fun challenge to hunt and catch this spider, it's important to remember that you're removing the spider from its natural habitat and that this might not be the morally correct thing to do. If you do decide to hunt for a jumping spider in your yard or a nearby park, provide a safe and enjoyable environment for it. Try keeping the spider for only a short time before you release it back into the wild.

Capturing a Jumping Spider

  1. 1
    Recognize a jumping spider. If you want to successfully catch a jumping spider, you need to make sure you know what they look like. Take some time to familiarize yourself with this spider's unique features. That way, you'll know exactly what you are looking for. Jumping spiders:[1]
    • Have eight eyes. Two large eyes and two small eyes on its face, and two similar pairs on top of its head.
    • May be very colorful. Males might have bands or stripes of vibrant jewel tones on their bodies.
    • Have fangs.
    • Can appear to be furry or fuzzy.
  2. 2
    Track down a jumping spider. Keep your eyes peeled for jumping spiders anytime you are in your yard or garden. These creatures prey on common insects, so they are found in a wide variety of environments. Jumping spiders live in many climates, from tropical jungles to temperate forests.[2]
    • It is important to know that jumping spiders do not build webs like many other species of spiders.
    • The jumping spider tracks its prey on foot. Look for them jumping or walking in the grass, or hopping from plant to plant.
  3. 3
    Use beating sticks. You may get lucky and simply spy a jumping spider as it crosses your path. However, in most cases you will need to make a concerted effort to track one down. A beating stick can help you urge a jumping spider out into the open.[3]
    • Use a medium length stick as your beater. Carry it with you as you hunt for spiders.
    • Use the stick to whack vegetation. For example, when you pass a clump of bushes, gently strike the plants.
    • The vibration should cause any hidden spiders to jump out. Be careful not to hit too hard. You don't want to harm any animals who are hiding.
  4. 4
    Use a vial to capture the spider. You will need something to contain your spider(s) once you catch one. Vials are an excellent choice. You can carry several vials with you. Look for ones that are at least 2 inches long, so your spider will have plenty of room.[4]
    • Either glass or plastic vials will work. Just make sure they come with lids.
    • A glass jar or plastic container will also work. Just make sure to wash and dry them thoroughly before hunting for spiders.
  5. 5
    Handle the spider carefully. The jumping spider is not thought to be dangerous. However, it is important to note that most experts agree that the venom of these creatures needs to be more thoroughly studied. In short, it is not certain that these spiders are not venomous.[5]
    • Use the lid of your jar to gently nudge the spider into the jar. You could also wear thick gloves as an extra layer of safety.

Caring for Your Pet

  1. 1
    Create a safe environment. Jumping spiders can thrive in a variety of environments. In order to make sure they have room to jump, try to choose a container that is at least a cubic foot in size. Glass or plastic terrariums work well.[6]
    • Make sure the lid is ventilated with small holes so that your spider gets adequate air flow.
    • Jumping spiders don't spin webs, but they do enjoy resting in little nests. Provide your spider with material to make a bed. Choose a small piece of cloth, or even a paper napkin.
    • Keep the cage out of direct sunlight. You don't want your spider to overheat.
  2. 2
    Feed your spider. Your jumping spider will eat a variety of insects. Try feeding it flies and small crickets. If you don't want to collect the food yourself, you can purchase it at most pet stores.[7]
    • Your spider does not need to eat every day. It will be fine if you give it an insect every 2-3 days.
    • Spiders don't need much water. Just mist the sides of the cage with a spray bottle of water every few days.
    • Simply drop the insect into the cage. Your spider will pounce on it and eat.
  3. 3
    Interact with your spider. Like most spiders, jumping spiders really don't like to be touched or handled. For the most part, you should avoid trying to handle your spider. If you do need to move him, try to nudge him into a cup using a piece of plastic or other material.
    • You can still enjoy your pet. You can watch him jump around his cage. Some will also follow your finger if you gently trace it along the walls of the container. It seems like he may be playing, but it will help you keep him active, and know that he can still see and hunt.
    • Occasionally, you can take your spider out of captivity. Set him on your desk and watch him jump. Just be careful not to lose him!
  4. 4
    Record your observations. Your spider can be a very interesting pet. Try keeping track of things like how much it eats and when, and if it changes colors or size. You could discover some interesting patterns. You can also track when it likes to sleep.
    • Try keeping a small notebook near your jumping spider's cage. That way you'll have it handy when you see it do something interesting.

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Question
    What else could I feed my jumping spider?
    Community Answer
    They usually only eat flies and crickets or small grasshoppers. Don't be fooled by the size of your jumping spider, it can eat a grasshopper up to three times its size!
  • Question
    How long do jumping spiders live?
    Katie Brooke
    Community Answer
    They can live for up to three years, depending on the species. Most, however, live for one to two years.
  • Question
    Can a jumping spider eat other kinds of insects?
    Katie Brooke
    Community Answer
    Yes. Jumping spiders are carnivorous, so their entire diet is made up of eating other insects, such as crickets, moths, flies, roaches, grasshoppers etc.
  • Question
    How do you tell if it's a jumping spider or not?
    Community Answer
    Watch for the spider to jump. They are also usually not more than a centimeter in diameter with a distinct eye pattern.
  • Question
    Is it okay if I keep my spider for a week and then let it free again?
    Community Answer
    Yes, in fact, this is a great way to keep them. Spiders prefer being free, but you can keep them for a bit to observe their behavior.
  • Question
    What does it mean to interact with the pet?
    Katie Brooke
    Community Answer
    Interaction with your jumping spider can be anything from, watching it daily, to sticking your hand in the cage and letting your jumper jump on your hand, to having the jumping spider jump on your hand (willingly, never grab your spider), and then taking your spider out of the cage for "walks". Be careful not to let your jumping spider jump away by holding your hand up high, and far away from any objects.You could even let your jumping spider jump around in a secluded, hiding-spot free section, or room of your house, with lots of cups, butterfly nets, and helping friends or family members in case of a getaway.
  • Question
    Do jumping spider eat dead flies?
    Community Answer
    Spiders likely will eat any bug if it's moving. If you are going to feed it dead insects, make sure that they are relatively fresh before feeding it to your spider.
  • Question
    I just caught a bold jumping spider and I want to feed him/her carpenter ants. Will the ants bite my spider?
    Community Answer
    Ants are very hard for a jumping spider to digest and some ants may even release acid. And yes, the ants will most likely bite or may even kill the spider.
  • Question
    What should I do if the jumping spider doesn't want to eat?
    Katie Brooke
    Community Answer
    Just leave the spider alone. Jumping Spiders can go a month without food, so if it's not eating it probably just isn't hungry. Jumping Spiders will not eat when stressed however, so if you have a Jumping Spider that hasn't eaten in a few days it may be sick or stressed. If this has happened to your pet I suggest you let it go and catch a healthy one. As spiders get old, they tend to stop eating, so if your spider has stopped eating and it is a year or older, it may be preparing to die.
  • Question
    What if you can't find an aquarium that is 10 gallons?
    Katie Brooke
    Community Answer
    An 8-gallon tank is fine too, and if you fill a 6-gallon tank with lots of hiding spots, sticks, leaves and decorations, you could use it instead of a 10-gallon tank. However, you can buy an inexpensive 10-gallon tank at Walmart.
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    • Remember to leave your spider alone when it's hiding.
    • Stress can kill your spider, so take care not to startle it or move it around a lot. When he appears to be sleeping, let it rest.
    • Keep it in a sturdy, warm cage and feed it twice every two days. Put some twigs with leaves on it in with the spider, so it could crawl and jump on it. Keep an eye on your spider make sure it’s fed properly.
    • Jumping spiders can climb up plastic, glass and other similar surfaces, so be sure to put a lid on top of the enclosure.
    • be sure that you place for your spider is tall or moderate to prevent it from escaping when re-housing or feeding.

    Be sure the location where you set your place for your spider is not the place where it can be moved a lot.


    • Don't drop water or food on the spider directly as this can suffocate them. Instead, put food and water in a corner of the cage.
    • Stay calm and get medical attention if bitten. Panicking won't help the situation any further.

    Article SummaryX

    To catch and care for a jumping spider, start by using a medium length stick to whack bushes in your yard, which should cause any hidden spiders to jump out. Once you see a spider, use the lid of a glass jar to gently nudge it into the jar. Next, place the spider in a well-ventilated glass or plastic container that’s at least 1 cubic foot in size with material, like cloth or a paper napkin, for the spider to make a bed. Additionally, feed it 1 insect, such as a fly or small cricket, every other day, and mist the cage with water every 2 to 3 days to keep your spider hydrated. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to interact with your spider, read on!

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    Article Info


    Categories: Spiders and Other Arachnids

    In other languages:

    Español: capturar y cuidar a una araña saltadora, Deutsch: Sich um eine Springspinne kümmern, Italiano: Catturare e Prendersi Cura di un Ragno Saltatore

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