Jumping Spiders: Captive Care, New Species, & a Surprise (they watch videos!)

B

bronxzoofrank

Third Instar
Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist, and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo. As a bug-hunting child, I was once startled to come upon a housefly that appeared to be walking on its hind legs. Closer inspection revealed that the unfortunate insect was being carried in a head-up position by a Jumping Spider. I was aware that a variety of these brilliantly-colored little beasts inhabited my Bronx neighborhood, and became interested in how they managed to capture such elusive prey without a web. I began reading and collecting, and was soon fascinated by their keen eyesight and cat-like stalking techniques. They would follow my finger, leap on a feathers pulled by a string, and even display to a mirrors.

I’ve recently learned that biologists are showing videos to Jumping Spiders in an attempt to learn more about their remarkable eyes (which allow for forward, backward, an sideways vision simultaneously), and that a new ant-mimicking Jumping Spider with enormous fangs has turned up in Borneo. I’ll highlight this new information below, and review their natural history and captive care. Read the rest of this article here http://bit.ly/13PAlyl

Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

Best Regards, Frank

 
I have a daring jumping spider that is TINY and i have no clue what to feed it. i have tons of fruit flies around the house (no idea why though) but dont know how to get them in to the container of the spider without the spider escaping. and all of my roaches except the green banana roaches are way to big for him to take down. any suggestions?

 
RomanBuck said:
I have a daring jumping spider that is TINY and i have no clue what to feed it. i have tons of fruit flies around the house (no idea why though) but dont know how to get them in to the container of the spider without the spider escaping. and all of my roaches except the green banana roaches are way to big for him to take down. any suggestions?
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Hello,

If you cover the contsiner with mesh that is wide enough to admit fruit flies and add a bit of banana, they will enter on their own. Aphids are great food if you can locate any on plant stems. Pet stores that feature reptiles sometimes stock flightless fruit fly cultures..these are east to tap into tank; can be ordered online also..a single tube will last for quite awhile, pl let me know if you need more info, frank

 
I have plenty of food for him; he is just a tiny sling so i keep him in a completely sealed container. if i can catch the fruit flies, i may try to breed them for fun/food for him.

 
Wonderful article Frank, thanks for sharing! I myself breed Jumping Spiders among other invertebrates. I added you on Facebook! The story about your career is very inspirational, I'm graduating college next year and am hoping to become an entomologist, so I hope I become as successful as you one day! :)

 
Inkie14 said:
Wonderful article Frank, thanks for sharing! I myself breed Jumping Spiders among other invertebrates. I added you on Facebook! The story about your career is very inspirational, I'm graduating college next year and am hoping to become an entomologist, so I hope I become as successful as you one day! :)
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Thanks for the kind words! Please let me know if you need any career info etc...maybe you can avoid some of the roadblocks I've hit...best, frank

 
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