With my professional experience in keeping jumping spiders, I can confidently recommend a proper jumping spider lighting setup by providing a bright, sunny room or additional lighting to help your spider thrive. Even though Florida enjoys 237 days of sunshine a year, the UK only has about 1400 hours, roughly 58.3 days, with an average UV level of 6, compared to 10 in Florida.
Jumping spiders have pairs of eyes, some blurred greys for detecting motion, while the big cartoon front eyes are sharper, seeing a range of colours and depth, which helps them hunt effectively. Human eyes are more effective, but spiders are adapted to a wider spectrum. The side pairs require enough light to see clearly and feel safe in their home.
It has been observed that a lack of strong light in a jumping spider enclosure can cause them to think there is rain on the horizon, making them sit in a hammock instead of coming out to hunt. This is especially important for American spiders living in gloomy conditions, where proper lighting ensures they adapt, stay active, and feel safe. A correct lighting setup supports natural hunting behavior and promotes optimal growth, keeping your spider healthy over time.
Why Jumping Spider Lighting is Important
Having spent years studying jumping spiders, I have explored how environmental conditions such as temperature and light can impact predatory behaviors and feeding behavior. In a recent study, Salticidae from the Subtribe Dendryphantina were collected from oak trees and tested under a range of temperatures and the presence or absence of artificial light. The likelihood of consuming prey remained steady across temperatures within their habitat, suggesting they will feed regardless of temperature, but light proved an important environmental factor, as their eyes require sufficient spatial acuity to hunt effectively.
Setting up jumping spider lighting is simple and affordable. A simple, cheap LED works perfectly; desk lamps or LED strips that stick to a shelf above are ideal. Look for ultra-bright, white, or daylight options with a strong spectrum of colour. You can automate them to turn on at 6 am and off at 6 pm, or maintain a 12-hour day and 12-hour night schedule using programmed plugs.
Avoid filament bulbs as they get warm, drying the enclosure without a thermostat or heating mat, causing moulting issues or even death. For safety, bulbs developed for vivariums in conjunction with proper humidity controls are better. From my experience, researching online Facebook groups of keepers helps before committing to heat bulbs, especially for sub-tropical species, to maintain safe, stress-free conditions
Types of Lighting for Jumping Spiders
Based on years of hands-on experience, I can confidently say that setting up jumping spider lighting is both simple and effective. While a bright, sunny room might seem enough, additional lighting is highly recommended, especially for American spiders living in the gloomy UK. Jumping spiders have four pairs of eyes, where the front cartoon-like eyes are much sharper and can see a range of colours and depth, while the side pairs detect motion in blurred greys. Proper light ensures they can hunt efficiently, feel safe, and behave naturally. Even a simple, cheap LED is enough to meet their needs, making their enclosure feel like home.
For practical setup, desk lamps, LED strips that stick to a shelf, or ultra-bright, white, daylight bulbs work best. These can be automated to turn on at 6am and off at 6pm, creating a 12-hour day and 12-hour night schedule using programmed plugs. Avoid filament bulbs that get warm and drying, as they can cause moulting issues or even death.
For safer options, bulbs developed for vivariums in conjunction with a thermostat maintain proper humidity. While UV or coloured lighting can make the enclosure look appealing, they may be intrusive for the spider, so always prioritize strong, equal spectrum daylight for health and natural behaviours.
How Much Light Do Jumping Spiders Need?
Based on years of hands-on experience, I have observed that jumping spiders require bright, consistent lighting for about 12 hours each day to stay active and hunt effectively. Maintaining a proper daylight cycle helps them thrive and can be easily automated with a timer and a full-spectrum LED lamp. Each spider enclosure should have clearly distinct day and night periods, with 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness to mimic natural conditions.
For practical setup, LED lights provide an easy light source suitable for small terrariums. If a heat source is necessary, use a heat pad carefully to avoid melting the plastic enclosure while still keeping your spiders comfortable. Proper jumping spider lighting ensures your spiders are healthy, active, and able to display natural behaviors, making their enclosure both functional and visually appealing.
Lighting Placement for Jumping Spider Enclosure
From years of keeping and studying jumping spiders, I’ve learned that proper jumping spider lighting is essential for their health and activity. Jumping spiders need bright lighting to hunt their prey and stay active, ideally for 12 hours of light per day. Using an automated timer with daylight lamps of 6000°K colour temperature ensures consistent light without causing overheat from direct sunlight. During summer, when they have equal hours of light and dark, they are more energetic.
Without correct lighting, food intake may drop, and spiders often stay in their sack, showing signs of trouble. For the jumping spider lighting placement, LED lights are the preferred option, as they provide proper lumens and light intensity without excessive heat. Place them at a safe distance from the enclosure, and use lighting panels with multiple LEDs for smooth, uniform illumination. Full-spectrum lights mimic natural sunlight with all colours, helping spiders adapt through photoperiodism, an adaptation that allows them to sense changes in length of daylight.
This supports their development and behaviour, enabling them to thrive across different seasons and environments. Some species may enter diapause, a slowed development or suspended growth, triggered by environmental factors like temperature, food availability, or daylight hours. During this period, metabolism decreases, they become less active, may stop eating, but can survive harsh conditions and conserve energy until conditions improve.
Additional Tips for Enhancing Jumping Spider Lighting
To give your spiders the best care, proper jumping spider lighting is essential. Make sure your spiders receive bright light consistently, ideally around 12 hours of light per day, using an automated timer to maintain a steady schedule. LED lights or full-spectrum lamps provide the right lumens and light intensity without generating excessive heat, while keeping the enclosure safe.
Position lights at a safe distance and consider lighting panels with multiple LEDs for even, uniform illumination, mimicking natural sunlight. Observing your spiders’ activity is key if they become less active or stop hunting their prey, adjusting the lighting setup can help them thrive in different seasons and environments. Following these tips ensures your jumping spiders stay healthy, energetic, and active all year round.
FAQ
Do jumping spiders need lights?
Yes, they do. Adequate jumping spider lighting allows jumping spiders to recognize day and night cycles and promotes healthy activity. Proper bright lighting with daylight lamps ensures they can hunt their prey effectively while staying active. Setting up an automated timer for 12 hours of light per day provides a predictable rhythm, while 6000°K colour temperature lamps are the best choice for mimicking natural sunlight. This setup prevents lethargy and encourages normal behaviors, making it easier for them to thrive even in indoor enclosures.
How many hours of light for jumping spiders?
Jumping spiders thrive best with a balance of 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Using LED lights provides a reliable and safe lighting option, especially in small terrariums, while keeping them active. If you need a heat source, a small heat pad works well as long as you avoid placing it too close to the plastic enclosure. Maintaining this schedule ensures your spiders experience proper day and night cycles, promoting natural behaviors and overall wellbeing.
Do jumping spiders like LED lights?
Yes, jumping spiders generally respond well to LED lights. Since they emit less heat, they are less attractive in the sense of avoiding excessive warmth, which can stress spiders. Using LED lights ensures a stable and safe environment while supporting normal activity, hunting behavior, and overall wellbeing in captivity.
Can jumping spiders see UV light?
Yes, jumping spiders can detect ultraviolet light through their UV receptors in the large principal eyes. Many arthropod prey species have body parts that reflect strongly in the UV waveband, which the spiders can perceive to hunt effectively. Providing UV-sensitive lighting helps them recognize these cues and maintain normal activity, ensuring they thrive in enclosures that mimic natural conditions.
Conclusion
Proper Jumping Spider Lighting is essential for keeping your spiders healthy, active, and able to exhibit natural behaviors. By providing bright lighting for around 12 hours of light per day, using LED lights or full-spectrum lamps, and maintaining clear day and night cycles, you create an ideal environment where your spiders can hunt, thrive, and feel safe. Correct Jumping Spider Lighting, including UV-sensitive lighting, supports their vision, activity, and overall wellbeing.
Simple adjustments, like using an automated timer and keeping heat sources safely away from the enclosure, can make a significant difference in their health and behavior. Following these Jumping Spider Lighting guidelines ensures your spiders flourish in captivity, making their enclosure both functional and engaging for their natural instincts.