Spider Handling: Guide for Successful Interaction with Jumpers

Jumping Spider Handling: A Guide for Successful Interaction with Spooders

So, you've got a new jumping spider friend, and you're contemplating the brave venture into spider handling territory. First things first – it's perfectly okay if you're not keen on turning your hand into a spider perch. These little critters are quite content being left to their own spider devices, and observing them can be just as rewarding.

We've been spider matchmakers for arachnophobes for years and while some dive headfirst into spooder parenthood, others take a more hands-off (literally) approach, ensuring their spoods live their best lives with top-notch care.

The Slow and Spooderious Approach

If you're just starting out into the world of spider handling, the golden rule is to take it slow. Each spider has its unique personality, some welcoming human interaction with open arms (or legs), while others may need a bit of trust-building. It's better to do this so that you can ensure that the interaction is not stressful and mutually enjoyable for you and your spood.

Create a spacious zone, ideally over a clutter-free table, to minimise the chance of losing your spood should they choose to make a run for it.

Distraction-Free Zone

Keep the area free of distractions. Ensure that you aren't going to be interrupted by another pet, a friend with arachnophobia, or a younger child. These kinds of interruptions can leave you distracted, and interruptions of this type can cause you to lose focus on your spood. They may choose to run away when you're not looking.

Now, onto the methods:

Open Exploration: Leave the enclosure open and let your spider investigate your hand or finger at their own pace. If they show interest, facilitate interaction with small, slow movements, hoping the warmth of your hand wins them over.

Brushing Buddies: Use a small, soft brush to coax your spider to a more accessible spot. Be mindful – not all spiders are immediately on board with this. Your skin's vibrations, smells, and warmth might be a tad overwhelming.

Gentle Nudging: Employ a fingertip nudging technique to encourage your spood to venture onto your hand. Skittish spiders might pull off a few emergency jumps, but they'll settle down with calm and steady movements.

Observation Station

Once you've got your spider calmly in hand (or in a designated interaction area), it's absolutely fine to start with observation if you're a bit nervous. If you’re not quite ready to go for it, consider one of our Spider Islands, which provide some enriching space for your spider to explore but also allow you to observe them more closely outside of their enclosure. Take the time to learn their quirks, behaviors, and unique spider charm. The more time you take to learn your individual spider’s likes and dislikes, the more successful your interactions will be.

Tailoring to Spider Preferences

Some spiders, like our Margot, can be the calmest and friendliest little spoods you'll ever meet. She's more like a lap cat than a spider and loves nothing more than cuddling up in a crease between your fingers and absorbing the warmth and love. Some spiders will be completely happy to sit on your hand while you go about your day, and Margot has often joined me for online meetings for over an hour, quite content with the safety of her human and snoozing whilst I type away.

Some spiders are more inquisitive. Take our Candy, for example. She loves to wander aimlessly around her space and is perfectly happy to do so on a warm and calm human hand. Spiders like Candy like to explore with their vision. She's perfected the classic puppy dog eyes combined with the oh-so-adorable head tilt and, while she rarely sits still for too long, she's a slow wanderer who likes to take in her surroundings.

You'll find that some spiders are more energetic and want to show off their skills a little more. Take our Junior, for example. He puts the jump in jumping spider and likes to show off his skills with precision and expertise. Again, he's another of our spoods who will sit at the edge of his enclosure, waiting to catch our eye, so that he can come out, anchor his cute little butt, and show off his adorable little bounces, from one hand to the other. Spiders like Junior tend to wave their front legs in the air when they're testing out to see whether a jump is within their reach, a sure sign that your spood is preparing to pounce to the nearest available finger or hand!

Not All Spiders Dig Handling

While it's amazing and rewarding when we do have a spider whose temperament allows us to interact with them, it's not always the case, and we know when not to push things too much to keep our spidey friends happy.

Our current two older girls, Clementine and Mocha, are both strong independent women who know what they like and do not like to have their boundaries tested!

Clementine, while calm and sweet, is on the shy side and prefers to keep moving rather than let her guard down and snooze. She prefers to explore clothing, rings, watches, etc, basically anything that provides a little distance between the feel of human skin and her teeny spidey paws. And we respect that. You can still have successful and rewarding interactions with your spider if you take their preferences into account and acknowledge their preferences.

Mocha, our speedster, seems uninterested or unsettled by handling outside of her enclosure. She's happier when interacting in her own space, where she can retreat if she feels threatened. While we keep Mocha's interactions short and sweet, she's absolutely adorable to watch and is the one spider that seems to appreciate the efforts we go to with providing enrichment. We've recently renovated her enclosure ready for Christmas, and I can't tell you how much she has enjoyed exploring her Christmas lights and wreath and has even set her Christmas wreath as her new favourite sunbathing spot in the mornings!

Adapt to your spider's preferences for a happy coexistence.

Frightful Moments and Spider Bites

We're often asked whether jumping spiders bite, and the short answer is yes, jumping spiders are capable of doing so. But it's important to note that they are generally not considered dangerous to humans. Jumping spiders are not aggressive, and they usually only bite when they feel threatened or cornered. Their venom is primarily used to immobilise their prey, and it is not harmful to humans.

In the rare event that a jumping spider does bite a human, the bite is typically mild and may cause some discomfort, redness, or swelling. However, these symptoms usually resolve on their own without the need for medical attention. It's essential to remember that jumping spiders are not venomous in a way that poses a significant threat to humans, and their bites are not known to cause serious harm.

In the many years we've had keeping, collecting, and breeding jumping spiders, there have been three occasions where I've personally felt spider fangs meet my skin. Two of these occasions were on the same day, by the same spider, and to be perfectly honest, I wasn't completely surprised! Lucas is our funny boy, a mature adult Sierra de Bahoruco who spends the majority of his days perfecting his mating dance, despite fathering many spiderlings which have now moved on to new homes! 

One particular day, he was being his usual cheeky self when he spun round, looked me in the eye, opened his chelicerae, and tapped my skin with his teeth. I think he knew precisely what he was doing, almost like he was daring me to tell him off, which I did! After lifting his head and tilting innocently at me, he proceeded to do the exact same thing again and touch my skin with his fangs while making eye contact with me! He got a stern warning and was sent to his hammock for the rest of the day, but has never done it since. Truthfully, I think he was just playing as there was no pain; I just felt and saw his sharp fangs touch my skin. I don't think they actually pierced, and if they did, there was no venom released.

The only other time I've experienced a spider bite was back when I first started keeping jumpers and before I took my own advice of minimising distractions. I had a cat at the time who loved nothing more than catching flies and other insects whenever she could, and she jumped onto my table where I was handling one of my first spiders. Instinctively, I cupped my hand around my spood a little too fast, and I think I caught one of her legs in the process. While I felt something sharp, I didn't experience any discomfort until about 20 minutes later, when there was a mild itch and tingly feeling, almost like a stinging nettle.

You'll read many stories on the internet about people's experience with jumping spider bites, ranging from a tiny scratch like the one I had from Lucas to those that liken the experience to a bee sting. It's important to remember that jumping spiders don't want to bite you and will only do so if they are frightened. Don't let this put you off handling your spood if you want to; even wild jumpers are known for being a particularly docile species.

Handling Frequency

When it comes to handling your jumping spider, less is often more. Frequent handling can be stressful for these tiny arachnids, so it's crucial to strike a balance. While some spiders may tolerate more interaction, others prefer minimal handling. Pay close attention to your spider's behaviour after each session. If they display signs of stress, such as increased movement or retreat, it's a cue to give them some space. Respect their need for solitude, allowing them time to rest and recover between interactions. Remember, a well-rested and content spider is more likely to engage positively during future handling sessions.

Introducing Sounds

Jumping spiders, with their keen senses, can sometimes react to sounds in their environment. Whilst they don’t have ears as we understand, they are equipped with sensory structures that allow them to perceive vibrations and changes in the air. These structures, called trichobothria, are tiny, sensitive hairs on their legs and body.

When handling, consider the auditory environment. Loud noises, sudden sounds, or vibrations can startle spiders. It's advisable to keep the handling area calm and quiet to create a stress-free atmosphere. If you notice any signs of discomfort, such as rapid movements or defensive postures, it might be related to unexpected sounds in their surroundings.

Recognising Stress through Defensive Postures

Understanding your spider's body language is essential for successful handling. Defensive postures, like raised front legs, an arched body, or an exposed set of fangs, signal stress or discomfort. If your jumping spider assumes such a stance, it's crucial to interpret it as a request for space. In these moments, it's best to gently and slowly retreat, allowing your spider to relax. Being attuned to their non-verbal communication ensures a positive and stress-free interaction, fostering a trusting relationship between you and your eight-legged friend.

In the fascinating world of jumping spiders, each tiny explorer comes with its unique quirks and preferences. Whether you've embraced the art of spider handling or found joy in the sidelines of observation, the key is to let your spood be the author of its own narrative. Some may crave the warmth of your hand, while others prefer the safety of their own silky safety . As you navigate this arachnid adventure, remember to listen to the subtle cues of your eight-legged friend, fostering a bond that will provide you both with positive moments to remember.

So, here's to the joy of spooder companionship – may your days be filled with gentle nudges, curious eyes, and the occasional, delightful tap dance of tiny fangs on your skin.

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