Can You Have a Spider As a Pet?
WouterYou can have a spider as a pet. However, it is important to know its habitat, diet, and survival conditions before you buy one.
Jumping spiders are omnivores. They eat insects, other spiders, and even plants. Some species of jumping spiders even practice sexual cannibalism.
A young jumping spider’s diet will be composed of mealworms. During their lifetime, they’ll also eat smaller insects. Crickets and flies are popular prey for these spiders. Generally, they’re available year-round.
Male jumping spiders drum on the ground to attract females. The females lay two to 36 eggs. The eggs are nourished by the nourishing fluid produced by the mother.
Adult jumping spiders will stalk their prey before pouncing. Many species are particularly good at snagging flies. The venom of these spiders is strong enough to neutralize their prey. But most venom is not designed to interact with human systems.
Fortunately, most jumping spider bites are mild. Those with more severe reactions should seek medical care.
To keep a jumping spider as a pet, you’ll need to find out what its habitat needs are. In addition, you should record its eating habits. This will help you determine whether it’s the right pet for you.
If you plan to keep the spider for a long time, consider feeding it insects every few days. You can purchase crickets or flies from most pet stores. But don’t forget to remove them from the enclosure before molting occurs. The crickets can hurt the older spiders.
