Jumping Spider Breeding Guide
- Ajinkya Chopade
- 15 hours ago
- 6 min read
Breeding jumping spiders can be a very rewarding experience for hobbyists and spider lovers. These tiny hunters are curious, intelligent, and fascinating to watch. When you know how to prepare, how to introduce males and females, and how to care for eggs and spiderlings, you can successfully breed these remarkable creatures. However, this process requires care, attention, patience, and the right setup at every step to ensure the spiders stay safe and healthy.
This guide will take you from sexing your spiders to raising spiderlings and give you clear, simple steps. Reading it fully will give you the confidence to try breeding with success.
1. Why Jumping Spider Breeding Is So Special
Breeding jumping spiders is different from caring for other pets because they are active hunters with unique behaviors. Their courtship dances, visual signals, and the way they guard their eggs make them interesting to observe. When done correctly, breeding can add many new spiders to your collection and give you a chance to watch spider lives from the very beginning.
Jumping spiders also adapt well to captivity and can thrive when their basic needs are met. But without proper preparation and care, breeding can fail or cause harm if spiders are stressed, hungry, or put together at the wrong time. Successful breeding comes from understanding all stages of their life cycle.
2. Easy Ways to Identify Spider Sex
Before breeding, you must correctly identify males and females. This is very important because the behavior and success of mating depend on it.
Male spiders usually have larger pedipalps—special appendages near the mouth that look like tiny boxing gloves when mature. They use these during mating. Males may also have brighter colours or patterns in some species and can be more active or bold.
Females usually have a larger and rounder abdomen. They also have a reproductive organ on the underside called the epigynum, which can be seen in adult females.
Both spiders must be fully mature adults before breeding. Juveniles look similar and are not ready.
Key points:
Males have large, swollen pedipalps.
Males may show brighter colours.
Females are bigger and rounder.
3. Pre-Breeding Preparation
Preparing both spiders correctly is essential. You must focus on feeding, conditioning, and setting up a safe enclosure.
Jumping spiders are hunters, so they need live food. Feed them small crickets, fruit flies, tiny roaches, or other suitable insects. Feeding regularly keeps them healthy and increases the chance of successful breeding.
Feed both spiders well for one to two weeks before breeding. A well-fed female is much less likely to attack the male. Hunger and stress increase the risk of aggression.
Your enclosure must be safe and secure. It should have good ventilation and structures like sticks, moss, or artificial plants. These provide hiding and climbing spaces.
Maintain room temperature and moderate humidity, similar to natural conditions. Use simple tools like a thermometer and a hygrometer if needed.
Key points:
Feed nutritious live insects.
Condition both spiders for 1–2 weeks.
Use a ventilated, secure enclosure.
Keep a steady temperature and humidity.
4. Understanding Courtship Behaviour
When a male is introduced to a female, the first stage is courtship.
Male jumping spiders perform special courtship dances. They may wave their legs, bob their bodies, vibrate, or move in patterns to get the female’s attention. This behavior tells the female that he is a mate, not prey.
If the female accepts him, she will stay calm and allow him to approach. If she is not receptive, she may push him away, display aggression, or even attempt to bite.
This is why you must always introduce them carefully and supervise them.
Key points:
Males use visual dances to court females.
A calm female signals acceptance.
Aggression means you must separate them immediately.
5. Mating Process
Once courtship is accepted, the mating process begins. The male gently inserts his pedipalps into the female’s reproductive opening to transfer sperm.
This process may take several minutes to over an hour depending on species and conditions.
Do not disturb the enclosure during mating. Avoid loud sounds, sudden movements, or opening the lid. Keep lighting calm and avoid misting.
After mating is complete, remove the male immediately. Females may become aggressive once the mating ends.
Key points:
Mating lasts from minutes to over an hour.
Keep the environment calm.
Always remove the male right after mating.
6. Egg Sac Care
After mating, the female will go through a pregnancy period. Her abdomen will grow larger as eggs develop.
She will then create a silk egg sac in a safe corner of her enclosure. Many females guard the sac and rarely leave it until the eggs hatch.
The incubation period usually lasts two to four weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Keep temperature and humidity steady. Avoid opening or shaking the enclosure.
Never disturb or move the egg sac, as this can cause the female to abandon it.
Key points:
Gestation lasts several weeks.
The female makes and guards a silk egg sac.
Eggs usually hatch in 2–4 weeks.
Do not disturb the sac or the mother.
7. Raising Spiderlings
When the eggs hatch, tiny baby spiders called slings appear. They may stay close to the egg sac until their first molt. Once mobile, they need very small prey, such as flightless fruit flies or pinhead crickets.
Because spiderlings can become cannibalistic, you should separate them into individual small cups as soon as they start moving independently. This helps prevent fighting, lets you track feeding easily, and increases survival rates.
Each small container should have proper ventilation and a tiny surface for climbing.
Spiderlings will molt several times before they grow large enough for bigger enclosures.
Key points:
Slings need tiny prey like fruit flies.
Separate them early to prevent cannibalism.
Keep them in ventilated mini-cups.
8. Tips for Better Success
Be patient. Do not rush introductions or move spiders too quickly.
Keep enclosures clean. Remove old food and waste.
Record dates and progress. Track mating, egg-laying, and hatching.
Be prepared for many spiderlings. Females can lay dozens to hundreds of eggs.
Research your specific species. Each species may have small differences in care.
Breeding jumping spiders is a wonderful experience when done properly. With the right preparation, careful handling, and patient observation, you can enjoy every stage—from courtship and mating to eggs and spiderlings.
With patience and correct care, jumping spider breeding is highly successful and very rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I tell if my jumping spider is male or female?
Male jumping spiders usually have larger, swollen pedipalps (tiny leg-like appendages near the mouth) used for mating and sometimes brighter colours. Females are generally larger and rounder in the abdomen, with a visible reproductive area under their body. Correct sexing is essential for breeding success because immature spiders look similar until full maturity.
2. When is the right time to breed my jumping spiders?
The right time is when both spiders are fully mature adults. Immature spiders should not be paired because they are not ready to mate and may be harmed. Before breeding, make sure both spiders are healthy, well-fed, and active to reduce aggression and increase chances of successful mating.
3. How should I introduce a male and female for mating?
Introduce the male slowly into the female’s enclosure and observe closely. Males use visual courtship displays (like leg waving and body movements). If the female shows calm or receptive behaviour, mating may occur. If she becomes aggressive, separate them immediately to prevent injury.
4. How long does it take for a jumping spider egg sac to hatch?
After successful mating, the female will spin an egg sac and guard it. The eggs usually take about two to four weeks to hatch, depending on temperature and humidity conditions. Steady, moderate levels of humidity and a calm environment help ensure healthy development.
5. How do I care for newly hatched spiderlings?
Newly hatched spiderlings should be given tiny live prey like flightless fruit flies or pinhead crickets. Because young spiders can be cannibalistic, many breeders separate them into small individual containers to protect them and monitor feeding. Ventilated micro-cups help keep them safe and growing.
6. Can jumping spiders live together after breeding?
In general, jumping spiders are solitary and may fight when housed together, especially after mating. After breeding, males should be removed right away to protect them from female aggression. Spiderlings should be housed separately once active to prevent cannibalism.
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