Another Jumping Spider Found Me!
A few days ago, I discovered this 7 mm, jumping spider (Sp.) on my kitchen window blind. It is more common to see them in the summer. I carefully coaxed it into a clear box that I keep just for observation purposes. I figured it was thirsty given its proximity to the sink, so I removed a small, hairy leaf from a house plant, ran water over it, then placed the leaf into the box. Voila! The spider crawled onto the leaf and positioned itself over a droplet of water. I began to fret over how it would survive all winter in the house. In December 2016, I found and kept three, bigger jumping spiders (all Phidippus audax) within a short time of one another. For these "Bold" jumping spiders, I was able to catch yellow Sac spiders that enclose themselves in a silken sac in ceiling corners during the day. But Sac spiders are too large and have formidable chelicerae for this new jumper to overcome.
Luckily for "Newbie," I found two, small, long-legged cellar spiders. Both have been consumed. I feel relieved and realized that "Newbie" has probably been residing in the crawl space or the warm floor vent. I will be setting it loose to roam again and fend for itself.
Another Jumping Spider Found Me!
A few days ago, I discovered this 7 mm, jumping spider (Sp.) on my kitchen window blind. It is more common to see them in the summer. I carefully coaxed it into a clear box that I keep just for observation purposes. I figured it was thirsty given its proximity to the sink, so I removed a small, hairy leaf from a house plant, ran water over it, then placed the leaf into the box. Voila! The spider crawled onto the leaf and positioned itself over a droplet of water. I began to fret over how it would survive all winter in the house. In December 2016, I found and kept three, bigger jumping spiders (all Phidippus audax) within a short time of one another. For these "Bold" jumping spiders, I was able to catch yellow Sac spiders that enclose themselves in a silken sac in ceiling corners during the day. But Sac spiders are too large and have formidable chelicerae for this new jumper to overcome.
Luckily for "Newbie," I found two, small, long-legged cellar spiders. Both have been consumed. I feel relieved and realized that "Newbie" has probably been residing in the crawl space or the warm floor vent. I will be setting it loose to roam again and fend for itself.