I have pet Spiders. AMA.

[SpidaMama]

Name changed as outing

These are my pet jumping spiders.

Previously arachnophobic!

Omg, I'd be terrified! They'd be like a little flea 😂

I have so much respect for jumping breeders. When I see 100 mini deli cups and the fruit flies I just think 'How?!'

I know!!! The person who runs arachnamoria had two spiders breed at the same time. She had to spend hours putting each sling in its own little
tube, misting them and feeding them.

I could never be a breeder. Too much work

And you really don't have to handle them. They're fine without human interaction. Many people enjoy just watching them.

I've been watching YouTube videos of people interacting with them and how they tentatively reach out a leg, obviously scared too! And how they turn to look at their owners in the eye. So fascinating!!

Does L5 have something to do with how many times they've moulted?

@SpidaMama how much of your time would one spider take? I noticed they don't necessarily eat every day. Do you need spider sitters for a night away, a week away?

I think the biggest problem for me is that I'm not sure how I'd be able to handle the live prey thing!!

Yes. It corresponds to their moults.

One spider wouldn't take up much time at all. Morning, quick spider and temp check, turn on lights. Mist enclosure.

That's about it for the day if its not a feeding day

You would have to tend to live feed too. You have to keep them healthy to get the best nutrition for your spider

The live food is the worst bit but you get used to it

Thanks @SpidaMama 'food' for thought! 😂

I’ve sort of found a food my coward will eat. Meal worms. He’s scared of flies. If he does catch them, he kills them and drops them.

Wont entertain crickets or locusts. Likes wax worms but they don’t last long and they are supposed to be a treat.

Im not gonna bother with roaches cos I don’t like them.

He used to really like fruit flies but they are too small for him now

Update as I now have

-6 jumping spiders
-2 Velvet spiders
-2 tarantulas

Wow! Is that one of the tarantulas in the picture?

Yes that's Mavis, she is a Mexican fire leg (or brachypelma boehmei)

My other tarantula is a Trinidad dwarf (or cyriocosmus elegans) which Is tiny and I've not seen it since I took these photos to rehouse it!

His name is Richard. My sons named it 😂🙄

Dahlia the velvet spider

Lydia eating her tea

Lydia is just too cute 😍

EEEEEEEE they are beautiful!

I used to be horribly arachnophobic, but it calmed down over the years, and I can scoop little ones up and move them to safety when I need to.

//°oo°\

I've not mamaged to scoop a house spider yet so you're braver than me!

I don't scoop the long legged ones, they still make me shudder, but I leave them alone.

I usually get some of those very long legged spindly spiders in my bathroom a few times a year. They are great for annoying insects blowing inside. I had a huge one and a slightly smaller one recently. I called them Harold and Maude.

Harold didn't live for long, because Maude ate him.

😎

That is a tarantula?
When you hear that, your mind goes to a big dinner plate hairy thing, not this little dot.
What a cutie!

It's a sling (spiderling /baby) so he will get bigger but only about 2.5inches

Lucifer today :)

Fabulous photographs. There are many creatures I'd love to keep, but as a vegetarian I can't cope with the things they eat!

Couldn't possibly manage a tiny spider though: I get so emotionally invested in my animals that I'd be in a constant state of terror with something so small. Your tarantula though..... Gorgeous!

I organised a 'mini beasties' thing at church for the children (spiders, snakes, hissing cockroaches, stick insects etc) and they were a bit 'meh' while I was completely enthralled 😀

1. Are you insane?
2. Any thoughts/ ramblings for thr mother of a small child who is desperate for a pet spider? To the extent she quickly gathers any spider she finds and tries to pop it in a box? I am barely going to be able to look at a spider like in your pics, and won't be able to help with any care of it. She really wants one so I'm considering it but having a bit of a battle with myself as I really dislike spiders.

1-probably
2- How old is she?

How old is she and do you mind dealing with flies?

Are you Neurodiverse?
DD told me yesterday that people who keep spiders and reptiles (she has a reptile and wants more) are more likely to be ND