Bold Jumping Spiders Ready For Adoption

How I unexpectedly became a spider foster mom and why 56 tiny jumping spiders are looking for their forever homes.

Never in my life did I think I would be fostering 28 baby spiders, but here we are! 😂

I’ve fostered dogs. I’ve fostered cats. But spiders?! This is definitely a new one for me!

Keeping spiders isn’t new or unusual for me. I already have quite a few arachnids in my care. It’s the fact that apparently I’m now a spider foster mom that I find so funny. I genuinely didn’t even know fostering spiders was a thing, but I am SO here for it!

Back in August, my friend Emily found herself in a rather overwhelming situation when her bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax) unexpectedly became a mother to 137 tiny spiderlings!

Now, if you’ve ever cared for jumping spider slings, you know that even one tiny spider requires attention. Imagine suddenly having 137 of them!

Each baby eventually needs its own little enclosure, regular access to water, appropriately sized live food, and someone keeping an eye on its development and molts.

That’s a LOT of little mouths to feed!

Emily was understandably feeling a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how she was going to care for all of them, so naturally, I volunteered to take some off her hands.

On August 17, I drove to Sacramento and picked up 28 tiny spiderlings to bring home and foster.

But I wasn’t the only one who stepped up!

My friend Susan also volunteered to take another 28 babies off Emily’s hands.

Between the two of us, we’re now fostering 56 baby bold jumping spiders! That’s 56 little lives we’re helping raise until they’re ready for homes of their own.

I knew going into this that caring for 28 spiders would take some time, but I don’t think I fully appreciated just how much work I’d signed myself up for until my first big feeding and cleaning session.

It was definitely a process!

And of course, one of the babies decided to make a run for it. 😂

Thankfully, I caught the little escape artist and returned it safely to its enclosure.

I’ve developed a pretty good system for keeping track of everyone. Each sling has its own identification label, and I keep records of feeding, watering, molts, cleaning, and anything unusual I notice.

It’s important to me that each spider receives individual attention, even when there are 28 of them!

It’s pretty funny to think that feeding and cleaning up after baby spiders has become such a normal part of my life.

One of the most rewarding parts of this experience has been watching these little spiders develop.

When I first brought them home, they were incredibly small. Now they’re growing, molting, and gradually beginning to resemble the bold jumping spiders they’ll eventually become.

As of this update, all of our foster slings are currently between instars i4 and i5.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term instar, it refers to a developmental stage between molts. Spiders grow by shedding their exoskeletons, and each molt moves them into their next instar.

For example, an i5 sling has reached its fifth developmental stage under the convention we’re using to track our babies.

We’re planning to begin placing the slings in their new homes once they reach i6, which we anticipate will be in approximately one month.

Of course, spiders develop at their own pace, so we’ll be evaluating each one individually rather than rushing them out the door.

We may also consider placing some i5 slings with experienced jumping spider keepers who are already comfortable caring for babies this young.

As much as I’ve enjoyed this unexpected adventure, the goal has always been to help Emily raise these babies and eventually find them wonderful homes.

And I cannot stress this enough: We want these spiders going to people who have done their research BEFORE bringing one home.

Jumping spiders are fascinating little animals, but they’re not decorations, toys, or disposable pets.

They are living creatures with specific needs, and even though they’re tiny, they deserve proper care and a safe, enriching environment.

Before adopting one of our babies, we ask that you:

• Research bold jumping spider care, including their feeding, hydration, housing, and molting requirements.

• Have an appropriate, escape-proof enclosure completely set up and ready BEFORE bringing your spider home.

• Understand that young slings require appropriately sized live prey and more attentive care than older spiders.

• Be prepared to care for your spider throughout its entire life.

We aren’t expecting everyone to be an expert. We just want people to understand what they’re taking on and be genuinely excited about giving one of these little creatures a good home.

And our involvement doesn’t end when you take your spider home!

We’re happy to answer questions for the entire life of your spider. Whether you’re wondering about a molt, a feeding issue, or something else entirely, you’re welcome to reach out.

We’d also absolutely LOVE to see pictures and updates if you’re willing to share them!

After spending so much time raising these babies, it would be wonderful to watch them continue growing and thriving in their new homes.

Adoption Details:

Species: Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)

Adoption fee: $35

Current developmental stages: i4–i5

Expected adoption stage: i6, approximately one month from now

Early adoption consideration: i5 slings may be available to experienced jumping spider keepers.

Location: Local pickup in Mariposa or Merced, California.

Shipping: We will not be shipping spiders.

Contact: creepingthings1@gmail.com

If you’re interested in adopting one of our foster babies, please reach out by email. We’d love to hear a little about your experience with spiders and the enclosure you plan to provide.

I also have jumping spider stewardship care sheets available for purchase in my online store, linked —-> HERE. These care sheets are a helpful resource for anyone who wants additional guidance before bringing a jumping spider home.

When I agreed to take 28 spiderlings off Emily’s hands, I knew it would be a commitment. What I didn’t anticipate was just how much I’d enjoy watching these tiny creatures grow.

I’ve always believed that animals don’t have to be traditionally considered cute to deserve our attention, compassion, and care and these little spiders are a perfect example of that.

I know there are plenty of people who wouldn’t dream of bringing a spider into their home, much less 28 of them. 😂

But I hope that sharing their journey might encourage a few people to look at spiders a little differently.

They’re remarkable little animals, and I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to help raise them.

I still can’t quite believe this is something I’m doing with my life now, but I’m so glad I said yes.

And if all goes according to plan, 54 little jumping spiders will soon be heading off to wonderful homes of their own. 🕷️🖤

Interested in adopting? Email us at creepingthings1@gmail.com. Local pickup only in Mariposa or Merced, California. Adoption fee: $35.