Let’s find out jumping spider lifespan, how long do jumping spiders live on average, both male and female.

Jumping spiders belong to the family Salticidae in the larger order Araneae (spiders). There are over 6,000 described species of jumping spiders around the world.

They are typically small, fuzzy spiders, ranging from just 3-4 mm up to around 20 mm long at maturity. Some of the most common species kept as pets include the bold jumping spider and the regal jumping spider.

Unlike other types of spiders that catch prey in webs, jumping spiders actively hunt prey. They have excellent vision and pounce or jump on prey when they get close. Their jumps are powered by their strong back legs.

Jumping spiders have a distinct eye pattern with four pairs of eyes – a large pair facing forward to focus on prey, and three other smaller pairs for peripheral vision. This gives them their excellent eyesight compared to other spiders.

Found on every continent except Antarctica, jumping spiders live in warm environments like forests, grasslands, and human dwellings. They eat small insects but are considered harmless to humans.

Jumping Spider Lifespan – How Long Do Jumping Spiders Live

On average Jumping spiders live for 6 months to 2 years. In a captive environment, their lifespan may extend to up to three years. Females of the jumping spider species generally have longer lifespans compared to their male counterparts.

They reach full adulthood and sexual maturity at around 2-3 months after hatching. This short maturation phase leaves only weeks or months for courtship and reproduction behaviors before the end of their natural lifespans.

Environmental factors play a role – jumping spiders tend to live longer in captivity as pets (up to 24 months) compared to in the wild if conditions are ideal. 

Larger species like Bold jumping spiders and Regal jumping spiders (with body lengths over 1 cm) are more likely to make it a full year. Tiny species may only reach 6-8 months at best.

Most jumping spiders live fast and die young, especially compared to types of spiders known for longevity (tarantulas can live decades). The males in particular focus on mating before perishing at under 1 year old on average.

Jumping Spider Lifespan in Captivity

In captivity, jumping spiders can live up to 36 months if cared for properly. This is about 12 months longer than the typical 24 months for females and 6 months for males in their natural habitat.

Factors that help maximize lifespan in captivity include providing consistent temperature and humidity, adequate hydration and nutrition, suitable enclosures and substrates, and limited threats from predators or injury. Stress reduction also helps.

Feed your jumping spider a varied and balanced diet of small insects, such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or other appropriately sized prey. Avoid overfeeding, as obesity can affect the spider’s health.

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Types of Jumping Spiders

There are many different types of jumping spiders, usually divided into various genera and species. Some of the major groupings and common types of jumping spiders include:

• Phidippus: One of the most common genera in North America. Includes species like the bold jumper, red-backed jumping spider, and gray wall jumper. Often have bright colors or patterns.
• Salticus: A genus with species like the zebra jumping spider and salty jumper. Features elaborate courtship dances. Found worldwide.
• Sittisella: Tiny colorful jumping spiders under 5mm long, like the pygmy jumper. Native to Asia, Africa, and North America.
• Marpissa: Muscular jumpers like the bandit jumper spider and checkered jumper, up to 16mm long. Found in Australia and Asia.
• Heliophanus: Includes some of the smallest species, like the compact jumper, under 3mm. Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Plexippus: Features thicker-legged species including the pantropical jumper spider found across tropical regions.
• Myrmarachne: Ant-like jumpers of the genus Myrmarachne mimic ants in appearance and behavior, like the antmimic jumper.
• Platycryptus: Ground-dwelling horizontal burrow spiders, like the tan jumping spider, that leap out in ambush.

Factors that impact jumping spider lifespan

The lifespan of jumping spiders can be influenced by various factors, both internal and external. 

There are several key factors that impact the lifespan of jumping spiders:

1. Species – Larger species of jumping spiders, like the Bold Jumping Spider and Regal Jumping Spider, tend to live longer than tinier species. Larger species can survive up to a full year while smaller ones may only reach 6-8 months.
2. Gender – Female jumping spiders often outlive males of the same species. The difference can be significant, with females living around 12 months on average and males only living for around 6 months before perishing after mating.
3. Habitat & Environment – Harsher conditions in the wild reduce lifespan compared to more optimized settings in captivity as pets. Access to adequate prey, proper humidity and temperatures, lack of fatal threats from predators or trauma, reduce environmental stressors in captivity to promote longevity.
4. Molting Issues – Jumping spiders must periodically shed their exoskeletons to grow, in a process called molting. Issues with molting such as getting stuck in old skin can prove fatal if the spider cannot extract itself in time before dehydration.
5. Diet – Adequate nutrition from eating appropriate live prey sustains good health and longer lifespans in jumping spiders. Poor diets will cause starvation, vulnerability to illness, or dangerous attempts to eat other jumping spiders.
6. Egg Laying & Parenting – The significant energy invested by females in producing egg sacs full of hundreds of eggs multiple times can take its toll, shortening her lifespan by a few months relative to virgin spiders.

How Long Do Regal Jumping Spiders Live

Most regal jumping spiders will live between 1-1.5 years on average if fed properly in captivity as pet.

Spiderlings after hatching can live for up to 4 months without food; they can survive this long relying on their own reserves. With regular feeding, at least 6 months, often longer if conditions are ideal.

Adult males can live approximately 12-15 months on average. Can potentially reach 24 months with optimal care.

Adult females tend to live slightly longer than males, averaging around 15-18 months. There are record lifespans over 2 years in rare cases.

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