Jumping spiders have become increasingly popular pets due to their intelligent behavior and exceptional eyesight. These small arachnids are known for their elaborate courtship dances and active hunting style. Many enthusiasts who keep multiple spiders wonder if these creatures can be housed together in a shared habitat. The question of cohabitation is complex, but the answer is overwhelmingly dictated by their natural instincts and predatory lifestyle.
The Natural Solitary Behavior of Jumping Spiders
In their native habitats, jumping spiders are classic solitary predators that rely on their own territory to survive. Unlike web-building species that wait for prey, these spiders are active hunters, using their highly developed vision to stalk and ambush insects during the day. This hunting strategy, which involves precise calculation and sudden leaps, requires an individual hunting ground free from competition.
A single spider’s survival depends on securing enough resources within its immediate environment. The presence of another adult jumping spider is instinctively perceived as a threat to that resource base. Their natural behavior is to disperse and establish individual territories, rarely encountering others outside of specific reproductive circumstances.
The Primary Danger: Cannibalism and Territoriality
Housing adult jumping spiders together is dangerous because their territorial instincts lead directly to aggression and cannibalism. The presence of a rival in a confined space, even a large one, overrides any potential for social tolerance. This danger is amplified by factors like lack of space or the perception of insufficient food, which trigger a predatory response.
A hungry spider views any smaller or weaker conspecific as a potential meal. Even well-fed spiders exhibit aggression, as territoriality is an ingrained behavior separate from hunger. Aggressive posturing, such as raising front legs or facing off against a tank mate, is a warning sign that the predatory instinct has been activated. Introducing adult spiders into a shared habitat typically results in the death of one or both individuals.
Temporary Tolerance: Mating and Sling Stages
Specific, short-term phases exist where proximity to other spiders is tolerated. The most recognized exception is during mating, which often requires careful monitoring by the keeper. A male must perform elaborate courtship displays to signal his intentions and avoid being mistaken for prey, though the risk of the female consuming him afterward remains a real possibility.
Another temporary social phase occurs with spiderlings, or slings. Very young spiders cohabitate in large numbers shortly after hatching, staying within the safety of their mother’s nest. This communal period lasts until they reach their fourth or fifth instar (L4 or L5), at which point they begin to disperse. Once slings develop independent hunting instincts, they must be separated to prevent cannibalism.
Safe Housing for Multiple Spiders
Keepers with multiple jumping spiders must provide separate enclosures for each animal. Since these spiders are arboreal, enclosures should be taller than they are wide to accommodate their natural vertical climbing and jumping habits. Optimal housing includes secure lids and ample ventilation to prevent stagnant air.
Individual enclosures should be appropriately sized for the spider’s developmental stage. Adult enclosures should offer a vertical space of at least four to five times the spider’s leg span. These separate enclosures should be placed so the spiders cannot see one another. Visual barriers prevent the stress caused by constant aggressive posturing, ensuring each spider feels secure in its own private territory.