Are you someone looking for an interesting, curious, and active pet jumping spider?
If so, then consider Phidippus audax the Bold Jumping Spider because this compact predator is everything you’d want and more.
This guide will help you understand what you need to do to provide a safe and healthy home for your unique pet.
We’ll cover topics from creating an enclosure to handling common health issues.
With the tips provided in this article, you’ll be able to properly care for your new pet jumping spider.
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Bold Jumping Spider |
| Family Name | Salticidae |
| Scientific Name | Phidippus audax |
| Use | Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 1 to 3 Years |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Adult Size | 2 cm |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Minimum Tank Size | 1 Gallon |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 50-86°F |
What Are Bold Jumping Spiders?
Bold Jumping Spiders are small arachnids found in gardens, grasslands, fields, and forests in the United States.
They are usually found in a range of common colors, and they are part of the Salticidae family, which is a large group of jumping spiders.
The name “bold jumping spider” comes from their fearless behavior; they are not afraid of larger insects or creatures that may share their space.
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What Do Bold Jumping Spiders Look Like?
Phidippus audax is a small spider with a body length of approximately 8-20mm for an adult.
They have a triangular-shaped head, a long cylindrical abdomen, and a set of grey-tinted eyes.
Their coloration is wide-ranging, from shades of black to brown. Females tend to be slightly larger and often have bright patches of color or stripes on their abdomen.
Their legs are long and have tufts of hair on the end of each joint.
The abdomen of Bold Jumping Spiders is also characteristically spotted or striped with a distinctive pattern.
Like most jumping spiders, they are remarkable jumpers with strong spines on their legs.
They are capable of jumping up to 25 cm (10 inches) when they feel threatened.
It is their uncanny jumping ability that makes them particularly agile predators in their natural environment.
Benefits Of Using Bold Jumping Spiders
Bold Jumping Spiders are very well suited to live within a vivarium.
These spiders are great at controlling insect populations due to their impressive jumping and climbing abilities.
They require less space in comparison to other arachnids, making them ideal for small enclosures.
They are also known to be docile, allowing for easy handling and interaction.
Additionally, they come in a variety of colors and patterns, making them aesthetically pleasing.
Phidippus audax is also long-lived and low-maintenance, requiring minimal care and attention.
Bold Jumping Spider Facts
Phidippus audax are small, colorful spiders observed in the United States who typically feed on small insects and spiders.
They are often described as curious and friendly, making them great pets.
These spiders have no known natural predators or parasites.
The estimated lifespan of a Bold Jumping Spider is about a few years, with most successful breeding attempts occurring in the late summer through early autumn months.
Habitat
Phidippus audax are relatively common spiders found across the United States, Central America, and Mexico.
These spiders prefer to live outdoors in open areas such as meadows, fields, and prairies.
They make their homes in low grass and limbs of trees. They use webs to catch their prey and are skilled, fast climbers.
They are also great climbers and can often be seen climbing trees and fences.
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Diet
In the wild, Bold Jumping Spiders mainly feed on a variety of small insects, such as flies, moths, gnats, and mosquitoes.
They locate and catch their prey by using their excellent vision and quick reflexes.
Typically, their hunting will take place at night, when their prey is the most active.
They prefer to eat live food, although they will also take dead prey if they have the chance.
Temperament
Phidippus audax are curious and active creatures, but generally quite laid-back and docile.
Due to their relatively small size, they are not considered to be dangerous to humans and typically only exhibit defensive behavior.
As these spiders are solitary, they should not be housed with other spiders or prey items, as they could become stressed.
When Bold Jumping Spiders encounter other animals, they can become overwhelmed and will likely choose to flee.
They do not recognize predators and will not defend themselves when encountering larger creatures.
Thanks to their curious nature, they may choose to investigate their surroundings but typically stay in their enclosures and prefer to keep to themselves rather than be handled or cuddled.
Lifespan
Bold Jumping Spiders typically live 1 to 3 years in captivity.
They have a relatively short life cycle, starting with eggs that hatch into spiderlings and eventually become mature adults.
During the first 2 months of life, spiderlings slowly grow and molt until reaching adulthood at around 5 months.
Once they become adults, Phidippus audax begins its active life, mating and searching for food on its own.
During the summer months, these spiders are most active, and can commonly be seen in gardens and wooded areas.
In the winter, Bold Jumping Spiders become more inactive and take shelter in tree crevices and other dark, sheltered places to reduce the risk of predation and ensure survival through the cold months of the year.
Breeding
Bold Jumping Spiders reproduce sexually, engaging in a traditional male-female pairing.
When males are ready to reproduce, they display a courtship dance for nearby females.
It consists of rapid side-to-side movements, raising the front legs, and changing colors.
Males will also produce vibrations through their web as part of the courtship ritual.
If the female accepts, she will position her body so that the male can mount her.
Mating can take several hours and is believed to involve a transfer of sperm and seminal fluids.
Females will lay up to 150 eggs per clutch in a secure web-like area.
The eggs require a lot of humidity and will often be guarded by the female until they hatch, 3-4 weeks later.
During this time, the female spider will often leave to go find food and return regularly to check on the eggs.
Once hatched, the spiderlings will feed on small insects and one another for their first few days.
After about a week, the spiderlings will be able to survive on their own and will disperse.
Where To Find Bold Jumping Spiders
Phidippus audax can be found in a variety of places in the wild, although they are most commonly found in the mid-western and southeastern parts of the United States.
They are often found under the bark of trees and in wood piles and leaf litter. They may also be found in grassy meadows and fields.
You can also purchase Bold Jumping Spiders from ethical, reputable breeders.
Bold Jumping Spider Care
To properly care for a Bold Jumping Spider, you will need to provide an enclosure with the right temperature, humidity, and light, as well as feed it an appropriate diet.
You will also have to handle the spider carefully, know the common health issues, and be able to answer common questions about the care of your spider.
Tank Requirements
Phidippus audax prefers an arboreal environment, so the ideal tank would be a tall terrarium with plenty of vertical decor and height.
The ideal tank should stock water with a pH range from 7.5 – 8.5 and a hardness of 8-15 dH. A natural pH-buffering substrate such as coco peat soil is best.
The vivarium should be kept between 78-86F and have a mix of bright and low terrarium lighting; natural light from a window is also beneficial.
Humidity should range between 40-60%. A lightweight and well-drained terrarium substrate like coconut husk, forest bark, or peat moss is recommended to help control moisture levels.
What Do Bold Jumping Spiders Eat?
Feeding Bold Jumping Spiders is relatively easy because they are carnivores and will eat most insects.
They typically eat small crickets, mealworms, waxworms, fruit flies, and moths.
The most important thing to keep in mind when feeding is to provide a variety of insects throughout their lifetime.
In addition, make sure to provide food items that are appropriate for the size of your spider.
To feed your Bold Jumping Spider, you can simply place the insect into the enclosure and allow your spider to hunt and capture its prey.
Avoid overfeeding your Bold Jumping Spider as too many insects can cause stress as well as other health issues.
At least once every few weeks, you should provide your Bold Jumping Spider with a calcium and vitamin supplement to promote health and well-being.
You can administer supplements with a paintbrush or food tongs by sprinkling a fine powder onto their prey or feeding them directly.
If you’re looking for a more detailed approach to feeding these critters, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY jumping spider food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Bold Jumping Spiders
When considering tankmates for Phidippus audax, keep in mind that they are solitary hunters, so it’s best not to put them with other spiders.
Bold Jumping Spiders are also sensitive to humidity levels and temperatures, so other animals should be chosen accordingly.
Though they’re solitary hunters, they can share an enclosure with various non-spider invertebrates, like small crustaceans, isopods, and springtails.
Species that occupy the same niche as Bold Jumping Spiders but have different feeding habits or territories are also ideal.
For example, small millipedes, and terrestrial snails can make great tank mates.
To make sure that no territorial issues arise between any tankmates, housing them in separate containers or sections within the same enclosure is always a good idea as well.
Additionally, keep in mind that Bold Jumping Spiders are quick and agile, so it is important to make sure that the enclosure is secure and escape-proof.
With the right tankmates, Phidippus audax can have positive companionship while still keeping its natural hunting instincts.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped give you the knowledge and resources to properly care for your Bold Jumping Spider.
Whether you’re an experienced arachnid owner or a beginner, we hope that you have the confidence to create a safe and healthy home for your pet.
Create the ideal habitat for your arachnids with our species-specific soil mixes and Spider Enclosure Kits. These products provide everything you need for a thriving spider habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phidippus audax, also known as the bold jumping spider, is generally considered non-aggressive towards humans and is often observed to be curious and inquisitive in its interactions.
While the Phidippus audax spider possesses venom for subduing its prey, it is not considered dangerous or medically significant to humans.
The Phidippus audax species of jumping spider is usually identified by its bright and vivid coloration.
They are typically vibrant iridescent colors, including shades of green, yellow, orange, purple, and blue.
Most commonly, they will have a white stripe bordering the upper sides of their abdomen.
Bold jumping spiders (Phidippus audax) are not considered rare and can be found in many regions of North America, making them relatively common and widespread in their habitat.
Yes, bold jumping spiders can be kept as pets by providing them with an appropriate habitat, such as a terrarium, and ensuring their needs for food and environment are met.
Yes, bold jumping spiders (Phidippus audax) are known for their impressive jumping abilities, using their powerful leg muscles to propel themselves towards prey or to navigate their surroundings.
Bold jumping spiders (Phidippus audax) are often attracted to homes that have a lot of vegetation or even sometimes go inside through open windows or doors.
They are typically harmless and will go away on their own.
The bite of a bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax) is generally harmless to humans and typically causes minimal or no symptoms.
Any localized reaction, if it occurs, is usually mild and resolves on its own without medical intervention.
No, Bold jumping spiders are typically not aggressive. They will only bite if provoked and they are generally docile in nature.
Bold jumping spiders can be found in various habitats across North America, including grasslands, forests, gardens, and urban areas.
They are adaptable spiders that can thrive in a wide range of environments.