🌡️ Temperature & Humidity Control

How to Keep Your Jumper Happy Without Cooking or Drying Them Out

Your jumping spider may be small — but it’s surprisingly picky about its environment.

Get the temperature or humidity too far off, and you might see:

• Lethargy
• Refusal to eat
• Bad molts
• Even fungal infections or dehydration

But don’t worry — you don’t need a rainforest chamber or fancy gadgets. In fact, jumping spiders prefer simple, lightly warm, well-ventilated spaces.

This guide shows you how to create perfect, stable conditions — even if you live somewhere cold, dry, or damp.

📈 Ideal Conditions for Phidippus regius

Jumpers don’t like stuffy or overly moist spaces. Their native environment (southeastern US) is warm and breezy — not wet and steamy.

🌡️ Temperature Tips

✅ What's Perfect

• 21°C–27°C (70°F–80°F)
• Stable day/night cycle
• Slightly warmer during the day is natural

⚠️ Too Cold?

Below 18°C (64°F) and your jumper might:

• Stop eating
• Move very little
• Struggle to molt

🧊 If it’s too cold:

• Move enclosure to the warmest room
• Place near (but not on) a warm appliance
• Use a ceramic heat mat on a thermostat — side mounted, not underneath
• Keep jumper out of drafts, especially in winter

💡 Never use direct heat (like lamps or sun). Jumpers overheat fast.

🔥 Too Hot?

If temps go above 28–30°C (82–86°F), your spider may:

• Pace around in distress
• Hide more
• Dehydrate quickly

🧯 If it’s too hot:

• Move enclosure to shade or cooler room
• Open lid slightly for ventilation
• Mist gently (see next section)
• Avoid sunny windowsills at all costs

💧 Humidity Tips

Jumping spiders don’t need rainforest humidity. They thrive in moderately dry air with occasional hydration via droplets.

✅ What’s Ideal:

• 50%–65% relative humidity
• Light misting once or twice a week
• Good airflow to prevent mold

💦 How to Mist:

• Use a fine spray bottle
• Mist one wall or plant near the top
• Let droplets form — your spider will drink from them

DO NOT:

• Soak the substrate
• Mist daily
• Create condensation on the walls

🧪 Tools That Help

🔹 Thermometer + Hygrometer

Use a digital or analog combo unit inside the enclosure or nearby.

🛒 Search terms:

• “Mini hygrometer for reptiles”
• “Stick-on thermometer”

🔹 Misting Bottle

Fine mist is key — avoid spray bottles that blast water.

🛒 Best: Plant misting bottles, facial spray misters

🔹 Heat Source (only if needed)

• Low-wattage ceramic heat mat on thermostat
• Mount to the side, not underneath (jumpers don’t burrow)
• Use only if your home drops below 18°C consistently

🧼 Watch Out for These Red Flags

🌬️ Ventilation Is Your Secret Weapon

A well-ventilated enclosure solves most humidity and temperature issues.

• Use mesh tops or side vents
• Add holes at top and bottom for passive airflow
• Keep lids slightly ajar in safe environments

💡 Want more plants? Add cross-ventilation to balance moisture.

❄️ Seasonal Adjustments

Winter:

• Move away from windows
• Increase room temps slightly
• Use ceramic heat if needed
• Mist a bit more if your heating dries the air

Summer:

• Pull enclosure away from sun
• Mist early morning
• Vent more aggressively
• Keep temps under control

✅ Quick Setup Checklist

💬 Final Thoughts

Your jumping spider doesn’t need a rainforest or desert — just a little help staying not too hot, not too cold, and pleasantly dry.

Stable conditions = ✅ Healthy molts ✅ Active behavior ✅ Longer life ✅ And a much happier fuzzy friend

Once you get the hang of it, temperature and humidity will become second nature — just another part of keeping your jumper healthy and thriving.

Your spider thanks you. 🕷️🌡️💧