Jumping Spider Enclosures

Jumping spiders are easy to house in a variety of enclosures from simple to elaborate.

An ideal home for your jumping spider should have:

  • Ventilation: air holes to allow in air and out moisture
  • An opening from the bottom or side: most jumping spiders will build their nest on the top of the enclosure, if it opens from the top you may disturb or destroy their nest
  • Placed in indirect sunlight or lighted (see Terrarium lighting section). Direct sunlight can overheat your spider and kill it.

Deli Cups

A simple budget option

A deli cup is a perfect option for a cheap no-frills spider home. Turn upside down so it opens on the bottom. Use a tack to make breathing holes on the sides and top. You can decorate with tape (spiders will not stick to the tape and actually seem to enjoy building on it) and paper.

Small

For spiderlings

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Large

For adult spiders or raising spiderlings

The placon lid ones have ventilation holes in the lid, but you can add your own ventilation holes to the sides and top to a regular one

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Display Cases

Attractive but requires some more advanced modification

These display cases are a popular option though they require either drilling holes with a special bit or purchasing already modified

Basic

A very cheap option but you'll need to drill the holes yourself

Use an acrylic bit to drill holes for ventilation

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Modified Display Cases

Originally created for juvenile tarantulas, they come with vents already added

Comes with decorations and substrate too!

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Why not Kritter Keepers?

These are popular for keeping other bugs, but since they are not vertical and open at the top, they do not make ideal enclosures for jumping spiders.

Terrariums

If you want to create a beautiful living environment for your spiders, a terrarium is a great option. You can use live or fake plants.

Exo Terra Nano Tall

A great option for a large adult spider and live or fake plants

Most pet jumping spider species are arboreal so prefer tall enclosures

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Substrate

Exo Terra plantation soil makes an excellent substrate and can be used for live plants

Layer some volcanic rock and charcoal on the bottom for ideal drainage

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Plants

Live or pet-safe fake plants make great decorations and spiders love to climb on them
Purchase fake plants

Heating/Lighting Terrariums

There are some situations where you may want to add heat and light to terrariums:

  • You are keeping a species from a warm climate (like the regal/regius jumping spider) and your home is drafty or cool (under 60F)
  • You are keeping tropical plants

Light

Exo terra makes canopies and light bulbs that are perfect of your plants and animals
Nano CanopyRepti-Glo 2.0 Bulb

Heat

Heating pads are the safest option for heating your terrarium

Place them underneath for best results. If you need additional heat, place another on the side.

Zilla Heat Mat Small

Humidity/Temperature control

A Hygrometer/Themometer with min/max is ideal for monitoring

Regius do best above 50% humidity. The max allows you to make sure the terrarium isn't getting too hot.

ThermoPro TP50

Timer

A great way to manage lights

Plug your canopy into this and it will turn off your lights at night.

Zoo Med Aquarium Timer