Feeding Schedules
How Often Should You Feed a Jumping Spider?
One of the most common questions new keepers ask is:
"How often should I feed my spider?"
The answer is surprisingly simple:
Feed the spider, not the calendar.
While schedules can provide helpful guidelines, every jumping spider is an individual. Age, species, activity level, molting cycles, temperature, and even personality can influence how often a spider chooses to eat.
Learning to observe your spider's body condition and behavior will always be more valuable than following a rigid feeding schedule.
Understanding Feeding Frequency
Jumping spiders do not eat every day in the wild.
Instead, they hunt when opportunities arise and may go several days between meals.
Healthy spiders can comfortably fast for short periods without issue.
A skipped meal does not automatically indicate a problem.
The Best Indicator: Abdomen Size
Rather than counting days, experienced keepers often monitor the spider's abdomen.
Thin Abdomen
Your spider may be ready for a meal.
Common signs include:
Increased hunting activity
Greater interest in movement
Active exploration
Moderately Rounded Abdomen
Generally indicates good body condition.
Most spiders in this condition can continue following their normal feeding routine.
Very Large Abdomen
The spider likely does not require immediate feeding.
Offering additional prey may increase the risk of overfeeding.
Spiderling Feeding Schedule
Spiderlings are growing rapidly and require more frequent meals than adults.
Recommended Frequency
Every 2–3 days
Common Feeders
Melanogaster fruit flies
Hydei fruit flies
Growing spiderlings should have regular access to appropriately sized prey.
Juvenile Feeding Schedule
Juveniles remain in active growth phases and benefit from consistent feeding.
Recommended Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Common Feeders
Large fruit flies
Small bottle flies
Small roaches
Monitor body condition and adjust as necessary.
Adult Feeding Schedule
Adults generally require less frequent feeding.
Recommended Frequency
Every 5–7 days
Common Feeders
Bottle flies
House flies
Small roaches
Mealworms (occasionally)
Many adults thrive on one or two appropriately sized meals per week.
Feeding During Premolt
One of the most important times to adjust feeding is during premolt.
Common Premolt Signs
Refusal of food
Increased webbing
Reduced activity
Spending more time inside retreats
Thick hammock construction
A spider preparing to molt may refuse food for days or even weeks.
This is completely normal.
Never Force Feed
If a spider refuses prey during premolt:
✓ Remove the feeder
✓ Leave the spider undisturbed
✓ Allow the molt to occur naturally
Patience is essential.
Feeding After a Molt
Freshly molted spiders are extremely vulnerable.
Wait until:
The exoskeleton hardens
Activity returns to normal
Fangs darken appropriately
Only then should feeding resume.
For larger spiders, this may take several days.
Species Differences
While most jumping spiders follow similar feeding patterns, some species may differ slightly.
Bold Jumping Spider
(Phidippus audax)
Often displays strong feeding responses and may readily accept food.
Regal Jumping Spider
(Phidippus regius)
Typically enthusiastic feeders with predictable feeding habits.
Canopy Jumping Spider
(Phidippus otiosus)
May be slightly more selective depending on individual temperament.
Giant Malaysian Jumper
(Hyllus diardi)
Often consumes larger prey items and may require fewer feedings due to meal size.
Seasonal Changes
Activity levels can naturally fluctuate throughout the year.
Some spiders may:
Eat less during cooler periods
Become less active
Spend more time in retreats
Temporary changes in appetite are not always cause for concern.
Common Feeding Mistakes
Feeding Too Frequently
More food does not always mean a healthier spider.
Offering Oversized Prey
Large prey can stress or injure the spider.
Ignoring Premolt Behavior
Food refusal is often part of normal molting cycles.
Leaving Prey Unattended
Feeder insects can injure vulnerable spiders, especially during molts.
Panicking Over Missed Meals
Healthy spiders occasionally skip feedings.
Observation is more important than reacting immediately.
Sample Feeding Schedule
Spiderlings
Feed every 2–3 days
Juveniles
Feed every 3–5 days
Adults
Feed every 5–7 days
Remember:
These are guidelines—not rules.
The Tiny Coven Approach
At Tiny Coven Jumpers, we believe successful feeding begins with observation.
Rather than asking:
"When should I feed?"
Ask:
"What is my spider telling me?"
A healthy feeding schedule is built around:
✓ Body condition
✓ Behavior
✓ Life stage
✓ Species requirements
✓ Environmental conditions
A Keeper's Rule of Thumb
Feed for condition, not convenience.
The healthiest spiders are not necessarily the ones that eat the most.
They're the ones that receive the right prey, at the right size, at the right time.
Learning that difference is one of the most important skills a keeper can develop.