What Do Jumping Spiders Eat? Feeding Guide for Pet Jumping Spiders 🕷️✨
Jumping spiders are tiny but incredibly skilled hunters. If you’ve ever watched one stalk its prey, you may have noticed something very charming about them. They often move in a curious, attentive way that reminds many people of little kittens watching a toy. They tilt their heads, observe carefully, and then pounce with surprising precision. 🕷️
Pet jumping spiders eat small live insects such as flies, mealworms, and crickets.
Understanding what they eat and how they feed is one of the most important parts of properly caring for your pet jumping spider. Providing the right diet and feeding schedule helps keep your jumping spider healthy, active, and thriving.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
• what jumping spiders eat
• the best feeders for pet jumping spiders
• how jumping spiders hunt and eat their prey
• how often to feed a jumping spider
🕷️✨ Quick Feeding Guide
- Diet: Live insects like flies, mealworms, and other appropriately sized feeders
- Feeding frequency: Juveniles eat 2–3 times per week, adults every 5–10 days
- Size rule: Prey should be about the size of your spider’s abdomen
- Safety tip: Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours to keep the enclosure safe and clean
What Do Jumping Spiders Eat in the Wild?
Jumping spiders belong to the family Salticidae, the largest family of spiders in the world. These spiders are active predators that hunt small insects and other arthropods rather than relying on webs.
In the wild, jumping spiders commonly eat:
- flies
- moths
- small beetles
- ants
- caterpillars
- other small spiders
Because they rely on movement to detect prey, jumping spiders are naturally attracted to live insects that move.
In captivity, we recreate their natural diet by feeding safe feeder insects that trigger their hunting instincts.
Fun fact 🕷️✨
Some jumping spider species have even been observed drinking nectar or honeydew in the wild. While insects remain their primary food source, these can provide hydration and extra nutrients, showing how they make use of whatever resources are available to them.
Best Feeders for Pet Jumping Spiders
When feeding a pet jumping spider, it’s important to provide prey that is appropriately sized and safe.
Jumping spiders can technically catch prey up to twice their size, but feeding smaller prey is usually safer and reduces the risk of injury.
As a general rule, feeder insects should not be thicker or heavier-looking than your spider’s abdomen. Softer, more slender prey like mealworms can be as long as the spider, while chunkier or more active prey is best kept smaller or around the size of the abdomen.
Common feeder insects include:
Mealworms
Mealworms are an easy, beginner-friendly staple and one of the most popular feeder insects for jumping spiders. They are inexpensive, readily available, easy to store, and can last for months when kept in the refrigerator, making them especially convenient for all keepers.
Many companies online offer them in a variety of sizes and quantities, making it easy to choose the right size for your spider and have them shipped directly to your door.
It’s important to keep in mind that mealworms can bite, so many keepers choose to crush the head slightly before feeding.
Crickets
Crickets are a widely available feeder insect that can be a good food source when appropriately sized, though they require a bit more care and supervision than other options.
Although they aren’t as commonly sold online in small quantities and can be harder to keep alive long-term, most local pet stores carry them, making them very accessible.
Crickets can be more active and defensive than other feeders and may bite or stress the spider if left unattended. Because of this, some keepers choose to slightly disable them, such as by removing the back legs, to reduce the risk of injury.
Roaches
Roaches are a nutritious and active feeder option that can provide enrichment, though they can be quick to hide and are restricted in some areas. Small species or appropriately sized roaches can be a good addition to a varied diet, but they may attempt to burrow or hide within the enclosure if not eaten right away.
It’s also important to note that some species may be restricted or not allowed in certain areas. For example, dubia roaches aren't allowed in Florida.
Flies
Flies are one of the best feeders for encouraging natural hunting behavior in jumping spiders. Their movement strongly triggers a feeding response, making them especially engaging and often eagerly accepted.
Examples include:
- fruit flies
- house flies
- green bottle flies
- blue bottle flies
Fruit flies are especially useful for slings and very small juveniles. However, they are usually too small for larger juveniles and adult jumping spiders. While they may still eat them, their small size means they provide limited nutrition unless offered in larger quantities.
House flies can be used for larger juveniles to adults, while green and blue bottle flies are better suited for subadults to adults due to their larger size.
Many keepers love using flies because watching a jumping spider stalk and leap at a flying insect is fascinating. They also appear particularly eager to hunt flying prey and will rarely refuse it. That said, hatching flies is not as simple as buying ready-to-feed prey. It requires managing temperatures and timing before they are ready, and once they emerge as flies, they only live for a short period of time.
Blue bottle fly spikes (or larvae) are also sometimes used as feeders for jumping spiders. They must be kept very cold to slow development and prevent them from pupating, which can happen faster than you'd expect (in just a few hours of being at room temperature). Even when refrigerated, they have a relatively short usable window. Once they turn into pupae, they can no longer be fed unless you allow them to continue developing in warmer temperatures (around 80°F) until they hatch into flies. Because of this, they’re often better suited for keepers with multiple spiders who can use them consistently.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae
Black soldier fly larvae are a safe and easy feeder option that can be offered starting at the juvenile stage. They pose no risk of fighting or injuring your spider and are readily accepted by most jumping spiders.
There is some speculation that they may contain relatively high levels of calcium, which may not be ideal as a staple diet for invertebrates. However, there is currently no clear scientific evidence confirming this concern. They can still be offered occasionally as part of a varied diet but are generally best not relied on as a primary feeder.
Feeding Tips & Safety
Feeding bowls can be useful in certain situations, especially when offering mealworms. A small feeder dish helps keep them contained and easy to monitor.
For most other feeders, such as flies or crickets, a feeding bowl is usually not effective since they won’t stay inside it.
It’s also important to monitor feeding and keep an eye on any uneaten prey. Some feeders, such as crickets, mealworms, larvae, or roaches, may hide under substrate, decor, or grass mats. If left unattended, they can:
- Die and decompose, which may lead to mold and bacteria
- Attract ants or other pests
- In the case of mealworms, eventually turn into beetles that can harm your spider
Feeding should always be supervised when possible, especially if your spider does not show interest or may be in pre-molt.
As a general rule, uneaten prey should be removed within 24 hours to keep the enclosure clean and safe.
Occasional Treats and Support Feeding
You can occasionally offer a tiny piece of watermelon or a drop of honey water on a cotton swab.
Many jumping spiders seem to enjoy this, and it can be especially helpful for weak or dehydrated individuals, as well as elderly spiders, particularly if they are no longer hunting.
These treats should only be offered sparingly and should not replace regular feeding, but they can provide a gentle energy boost when needed.
Always remove any uneaten fruit after a short time to prevent mold or attracting pests.
How Jumping Spiders Hunt Their Food 🕸️
Unlike web-building spiders, jumping spiders are active daytime hunters.
Their hunting process is surprisingly sophisticated and happens in several steps.
1. Spotting prey
Jumping spiders have some of the best eyesight of any spider. Their large front-facing eyes allow them to see movement and track prey from a distance.
2. Stalking
Once they spot something interesting, they slowly creep closer while carefully observing their target.
This is where many people notice their kitten-like behavior. They often pause, tilt their body, and appear to study the prey before making their move.
3. Preparing to jump
Before jumping, the spider attaches a silk dragline to the surface behind it. This acts like a safety line in case the jump fails.
4. The pounce
Once they’re close enough, the spider launches itself forward and grabs the prey with its front legs.
A tiny ambush worthy of a miniature jungle predator. 🕷️✨
How Jumping Spiders Eat Their Prey
Jumping spiders don’t chew their food. Instead, they use their chelicerae (their mouthparts) to inject venom and digestive enzymes into the prey. This process is called extra-oral digestion.
Here’s how it works:
- The spider bites the prey and injects venom.
- Digestive enzymes break down the prey’s tissues.
- The spider then sucks up the liquefied nutrients.
After the meal is finished, what remains is usually a dry, empty insect shell.
This is completely normal and often the only sign that your spider has finished eating.
How Often Should You Feed a Jumping Spider?
Feeding frequency depends mostly on the spider’s age and size. Pet jumping spiders are usually fed appropriately sized feeder insects two to three times per week when young, and every 5–10 days as adults.
Slings and Juvenile Jumping Spiders
- Slings and young juveniles (up to instar 5): Typically eat 3–5 times per week
- Older juveniles (instar 6 and older): Typically eat about 2 times per week
Young spiders grow quickly and require more frequent feeding while they are developing. For more detailed care tips, see our baby jumping spider care guide.
Sub-adult and adult jumping spiders
Sub-adult and adult spiders usually eat every 5–10 days, and sometimes even less frequently, especially as they age. As long as their abdomen remains rounded and they stay hydrated, they may not need food yet.
Jumping spiders are surprisingly efficient at preserving nutrients and can go longer between meals than many other pets. Because of this, it’s not always a cause for concern if your mature spider goes without food for a few weeks. For more information on what to do if your jumping spider isn’t eating, you can check out our guide on Why Is My Jumping Spider Not Eating?
On the other hand, some individuals are very food-motivated and will accept food whenever it is offered. However, overfeeding is not recommended. An overly full abdomen can increase the risk of injury, especially from falls, and it can also shorten their lifespan.
It’s best to use your spider’s abdomen size as a guide rather than relying on a fixed feeding schedule, as this helps prevent overfeeding. The feeding chart in the section below can be used as a general reference.
How to Tell When Your Jumping Spider Is Hungry
One of the easiest ways to determine feeding needs is by looking at the spider’s abdomen size.
- Round, plump abdomen → your spider is well fed and does not need food yet.
- Smaller abdomen → your spider is likely ready for another meal.
- Shriveled abdomen → your spider is hungry and may also be dehydrated. Offer water first by misting near them (not directly on the spider), then try feeding.
Here's a feeding guide to help you understand when your jumping spider may be ready to eat:
Should You Feed Wild Caught Insects?
It’s best to avoid feeding wild-caught insects to your jumping spider.
Wild insects can be exposed to pesticides or carry internal parasites and pathogens that may harm your spider, even if the insect appears healthy.
Using captive-bred feeder insects reduces these risks significantly and provides a safer, more controlled food source.
Do Jumping Spiders Drink Water?
Yes. Jumping spiders do drink water.
While they receive some moisture from their prey, they still need access to fresh water.
The best way to provide this is by lightly misting one side of the enclosure, allowing small droplets to form. Your spider can then safely drink from these tiny beads of water.
A fine mist sprayer works best, as it creates gentle, drinkable droplets rather than large ones. It’s best to avoid water dishes or heavy droplets. Jumping spiders breathe through tiny openings called book lungs, and if water enters them, it can be dangerous.
Keeping the mist light and controlled helps your spider stay hydrated while remaining safe 💜🕸️
Curious Facts About Jumping Spider Feeding 🕷️✨
Jumping spiders are full of surprises. Here are a few fascinating things about how they hunt and feed:
Some jumping spiders can plan complex hunting routes, choosing the best angle before they ever make a move.
They may watch prey for several minutes, almost like they’re studying it before deciding when to jump. Their intelligence and curiosity are part of what makes them so captivating to observe, and one of the many reasons people fall in love with them. 💜
Their excellent eyesight allows them to detect movement from several body lengths away, making them incredibly precise hunters. Because they rely so much on vision, good lighting is important in captivity, helping them recognize and successfully catch prey.
In rare cases, larger species like Phidippus regius have been observed feeding on small vertebrates such as tiny lizards and frogs, although it’s not always clear whether they actively hunted the prey or fed opportunistically on already weakened or deceased animals.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what jumping spiders eat and how to feed them properly is one of the most important parts of successful jumping spider care.
By providing appropriately sized feeder insects, a safe feeding schedule, and proper hydration, your pet jumping spider can live a healthy and active life.
Watching them hunt, explore, and interact with their world is one of the most rewarding parts of keeping these curious little spoods. 🕷️✨
