If you are buying a spider, you will probably get a 5th or 6th instar. These are several months old and, although not really babies, normally called slings (2nd, 3rd, and 4th instar), for this guide we’ll refer to them as baby spiders. Young spiders are different from older ones and require special care to grow properly. Proper Baby Jumping Spider Care ensures they have a safe environment to explore, hunt, and thrive during these early stages of development.
While an adult spider may need at least 15x15x20cm high to move and hunt, smaller, starter, home setups are ideal for baby spiders. These enclosures let them practice hunting in a space slightly bigger than what they lived in as slings, but not so big that they fail to catch prey and go hungry. Large enclosures often have bigger vents, cable, or entries that a baby spider could escape from.
A starter home is ideal, or alternatively, enclosures around 5x5x10cm high work just right. Unlike tarantula slings, baby spiders should not be kept in sling vials these are too small to allow effective, safe hunting practice. Here, babies are kept in larger 4oz sling pots, and it would not be kind to suddenly confine them to a smaller home.
Choosing the Right Spider for Baby Jumping Spider Care:-
Spiders are truly fascinating creatures to watch, but before purchasing one, it’s important to do your homework. This will help you determine if spider ownership is a good fit for you and your household. These special pets are not excessively demanding in their care, but they do require consistent dedication, just like any other pet. Choosing the right species ensures a safe and enjoyable experience while maintaining proper Baby Jumping Spider Care.
When selecting a spider, consider one that matches your experience level and environment. A well-chosen spider will thrive in your household, making your interactions rewarding and stress-free. Even though spiders are resilient creatures, attention to their care and environment is key. By understanding your spider’s needs and applying consistent dedication, you can ensure a healthy start for your juvenile baby spiders while enjoying the fascinating behaviors these special creatures exhibit.
Baby Jumping Spider Care Food
With my professional experience in raising baby jumping spiders, I’ve learned how important it is to choose the right food from the very beginning. In the wild, jumping spiders hunt many kinds of prey, sometimes even sipping nectar and plant fluids. At home, most spider keepers choose simple prey sources that are easy to feed and keep. What your baby spider needs depends on the spider’s size, its prey preferences, and its age, so offering the right diet early supports healthy development.
From my experience, flies make the best food for phids because they are safe and cannot harm sick spiders or vulnerable molting spiders, unlike crickets or mealworms. Very small spiders and spiderlings grow well on fruit flies, which are easy to order online or buy from pet stores. Once you start a culture, you can produce your own cultures at home, giving your spiders a steady supply of fresh, safe prey.
Can baby jumping spiders eat ants
With my professional experience in raising baby jumping spiders, I’ve observed that baby jumping spiders tend to eat more than adult jumping spiders because they are growing rapidly. They hunt prey just like adults, but they prefer smaller insects that are easy to manage. In addition to being mostly carnivorous, young spiders will sometimes sip nectar, making them partial omnivores. Providing a mix of small crickets, mealworms, and wax worms ensures that your spiders receive the ideal prey for strong, healthy development.
From my expertise, young jumping spiders are capable hunters, but feeding them ants is not always recommended. While ants are prey, they can bite and stress baby jumping spiders, especially the smaller ones. Stick to safe and manageable insects like small crickets, mealworms, or wax worms to guarantee a consistent, nutritious diet that matches their ideal prey needs without risking harm.
Baby jumping spider care sheet
Housing:
- Enclosure Type: Glass, terrarium, or plastic container works best for baby spiders
- Size: Minimum 4x4x4 inches to allow movement and exploration
- Substrate: Coconut fiber, moss, or paper towel helps maintain humidity
- Hiding Spots: Small leaves, bark, or tiny shelters make them feel safe
Temperature & Humidity:
- Ideal Temperature: 22–28°C (71–82°F) supports their growth and activity
- Humidity: 50–70% is ideal for proper molting and hydration
- Monitoring: Use a hygrometer or thermometer to maintain consistent conditions
Lighting:
- Natural Light: 10–12 hours/day keeps them active
- Artificial Light: Optional full-spectrum LED if natural light is insufficient
Feeding:
- Food Type: Fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms, or wax worms are ideal
- Feeding Schedule: Feed every 1–2 days depending on size and activity
- Notes: Avoid ants or insects that can harm baby spiders
Water:
- Source: Small shallow dish or light misting to provide moisture
- Frequency: Daily or as needed to maintain proper humidity
Molting & Growth:
- Molting Frequency: Track each molt to monitor development
- Signs of Molt: Reduced movement, darker abdomen, or refusal to eat
Behavior & Health Monitoring:
- Observe hunting, jumping, and exploration
- Check for lethargy, injury, or abnormal molting
- Remove uneaten food after 24 hours to keep the enclosure clean
Care Notes:
- Keep a log to track feeding, growth, and behavior
- Consistent Baby Jumping Spider Care improves spider health and helps you understand their preferences
FAQ
What do baby jumping spiders eat?
Understanding proper Baby Jumping Spider Care begins with their diet. Baby jumping spiders feed on tiny prey like fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms, and wax worms, which are safe and easy to catch. They may also sip small amounts of nectar, making them partly omnivorous. Providing appropriately sized food helps them grow healthy, molt properly, and stay active. From my experience, maintaining a consistent feeding schedule is a key part of Baby Jumping Spider Care to help them thrive at home.
How long can baby jumping spiders go without food?
From my professional experience, proper Baby Jumping Spider Care requires understanding the eating habits and survival capabilities of baby spiders. Even in a house that is mostly bug-free, occasional visitors like spiders can survive for a long time without food. For example, one of our tiny friends, Sasha, has been living in the kitchen for 3 weeks and has only eaten a single cricket leg. Despite this, it is thriving, showing how resilient baby spiders can be. Tracking food intake carefully is an important part of Baby Jumping Spider Care to ensure your little pal stays healthy and doesn’t starve.
Baby spiders can survive for quite some time without eating. Larger species tend to last longer, but even smaller species can go without food for 30-60 days, nearly the same as their adult counterparts. Understanding the spider life cycle and lifespan is essential for effective Baby Jumping Spider Care, helping you plan feeding schedules and maintain healthy growth.
How do I give my baby jumping spider water?
Proper Baby Jumping Spider Care includes providing the right amount of water to keep your spider healthy. Spiders need only small droplets at a time. Using a misting bottle, one gentle squirt on the side of the cage every few days is usually plenty. You can also simply drip a few drops on the side, but never create puddles, or your spider could drown.
Giving water is simple and safe if done correctly. Always apply tiny amounts directly to the side of the cage using a misting bottle or by hand, ensuring the spiders can drink without risk. This method maintains proper hydration, prevents accidents, and is an essential part of Baby Jumping Spider Care, keeping your tiny friend active and healthy.
Conclusion
Providing proper Baby Jumping Spider Care is essential for ensuring that your tiny spiders grow healthy, active, and strong. Understanding their basic needs, including housing, feeding, water, temperature, and overall environment, allows you to create a safe, enriching home where they can explore and thrive. Baby spiders require consistent attention, a balanced diet of suitable prey like fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms, or wax worms, and careful monitoring during molting and growth stages. Proper hydration and a secure, appropriately sized enclosure also play a crucial role in their development.
Observing their behavior and ensuring their habitat meets their needs helps prevent stress and health issues. With the right knowledge and dedication, practicing Baby Jumping Spider Care becomes not only manageable but also enjoyable, giving you the opportunity to witness their fascinating hunting, jumping, and exploratory behaviors up close. This approach ensures your baby spiders remain healthy and happy throughout their early life stages.