Are you curious about what to feed your Jumping Spider? Are you hoping to make its diet more nutritionally balanced?

If so, this guide will outline the basics of Jumping Spider food, including what to buy, how and when to feed it, and common mistakes to avoid.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about food for your pet Jumping Spider.

Table Of Contents:

What Do Jumping Spiders Eat?

In the wild, Jumping Spiders are natural hunters, predating on insects and other small spiders.

They can also feed on crustaceans like isopods, springtails, or small millipedes, on top of the occasional wasp or bee.

Due to the size of food they can catch, they usually stick to insects to feed themselves.

Jumping Spiders have also been known to scavenge for food, consuming leftover insect parts or pieces of fruit.

It’s not uncommon for them to enjoy nectar and flower petals.

Their diet is highly diversified and balanced, meaning they’re happy to explore new food sources if the opportunity arises.

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Buy Jumping Spider Food

If you’re looking to buy food for your Jumping Spider, the best place to start is a pet supply store.

Here, you will find a wide range of food specifically designed with tiny carnivores in mind.

You can also find comprehensive food packs with everything from small insects to dried food mixed together.

Be sure to purchase the food in an air-tight container to keep it fresh and free from contaminants.

If you’re buying live food, look for crickets, fruit flies, and waxworms, which these spiders can eat.

For a healthier diet, try buying dried food as well as live food.

How To Feed A Jumping Spider

This DIY Jumping Spider Food Guide will provide you with all the information you need to feed your Jumping Spider in a healthy and balanced way.

By the end of this section, you'll be well-versed in caring for your Jumping Spider and giving it the nutrition it needs.

Total Time Needed: 5 minutes

Materials:

- Live food

- Tweezers

- Small jar or container

Steps to Feeding A Jumping Spider

Step 1: Collect Live Food For Your Jumping Spider

Locally sourced crickets, cockroaches, and other small insects used for feeding reptiles are a good choice.

Step 2: Make Sure Food is Alive

A dead insect won’t offer your Jumping Spider any nutritional value, so make sure the livestock being offered is alive and active.

Step 3: Pick The Correct Setup

Your Jumping Spider won't feed unless it's comfortable and feels safe. so it should be in an appropriate enclosure with a shallow container at one end.

Step 4: Place Food In Enclosure

Holding an insect in one hand, use your other hand to gently place it near the Jumping Spider's shallow container.

Step 5: Don't Scare your Jumping Spider

Avoid startling the Jumping Spider. Allow it to hunt and catch its own food.

Step 6: Clean up leftovers

After the Jumping Spider is done feeding, remove any remaining live food from the enclosure.

Step 7: Observe Your Jumping Spider

Monitor the Jumping Spider to make sure it’s eating regularly.

*Bonus Tip*

Don't overfeed! Give it enough live food to keep it fed, but don’t let it get overwhelmed.

When To Feed A Jumping Spider

Jumping Spiders should be fed once a day, ideally at the same time every day.

You should create a routine that works for you, as consistency is key in helping your Jumping Spider feel safe and secure.

For example, you may choose to feed your Jumping Spider food first thing in the morning, or at night when it is most active.

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes made when feeding a Jumping Spider is overfeeding.

While it is important to ensure that your Jumping Spider is getting enough nutrition, too much food can lead to digestive problems, stunted growth, or even death.

It is best to err on the side of caution and provide enough food to sustain your Jumping Spider without causing it to pile up.

Another common mistake is feeding the wrong type of food.

Jumping Spiders are carnivorous and need to be given live prey like crickets, small flies, moths, or beetles.

Trying to only feed your Jumping Spider something like fruit, vegetables, or grains, will not be nutritious enough, and can lead to malnutrition.

Conclusion

Now that you know all the basics about Jumping Spider food, you can confidently provide your pet with a nutritious and well-balanced diet.

Whether you’ve bought prepared food or created your custom DIY blend, properly feeding your pet is essential to its health and vitality.

With careful feeding and regular observation, you can ensure that your Jumping Spider thrives and enjoys a long, happy life!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often do you feed a jumping spider?

Jumping spiders are known to have high metabolisms, and therefore, need to be fed more frequently than other spider species.

They should be fed at least once or twice a week, depending on their age and size.

Can you feed a jumping spider fruit?

Jumping spiders are primarily insectivores, and do not typically eat fruit or other plant matter.

Feeding them fruit may not provide them with the necessary nutrients they require for their growth and development.

How do you feed jumping spider fruit flies?

To feed a jumping spider fruit flies, place the fruit flies in a small container with air holes and gently introduce the spider to the container.

The spider will usually hunt and capture the fruit flies on its own.

How many fruit flies should I give my jumping spider?

The number of fruit flies to feed a jumping spider depends on the spider’s size and age.

As a general rule, you can give them around 2-3 fruit flies per feeding, but it’s best to observe how much the spider eats and adjust accordingly.

Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues.

Why won't my jumping spider eat fruit flies?

There could be several reasons why a jumping spider is not eating fruit flies.

One possibility is that the spider is not hungry or is stressed, and may need some time to adjust to its new environment.

It’s also possible that the fruit flies are not alive or healthy, and therefore, are not a suitable prey item for the spider.

Can you give a jumping spider sugar water?

Jumping spiders do not require sugar water or any other form of liquid besides water.

Feeding them sugar water may not provide them with the necessary nutrients they require for their growth and development, and could potentially harm them.

Can I use tap water for jumping spider?

Yes, tap water can be used for jumping spiders as long as it is free from any harmful chemicals and has been allowed to reach room temperature before being offered to the spider.

Is honey good for jumping spiders?

Honey is not a suitable food for jumping spiders as it can be too sticky and difficult for them to consume, and it can also attract other pests or insects that may harm the spider.