Quetstions about keeping Phidippus audax.

[ScottySalticid]

1) Do they need any particular type of setup, like temperature or humidity levels or cage size?

2) Can I have pictures of mature females and males so I can tell if mine are mature? Also, pics of female's epigynum?

3) How often should I feed them?

Right now, the male's in a small deli cup and the female is in a coke bottle lol.

[Motzo]

I suggest an area slightly bigger than a bottle, maybe the size of a small shoebox. Just make sure plenty of light can get in...
Since the box would be large for the spider, I would put in something like a small candy box, for the spider to make it's actual home.
My Phidippus Audax is simply kept at room temperature, at no particular humidity. She seems perfectly active and functional.

P. Audax specimens are black with markings on their abdomen. If the markings are white, they are mature. If they are some other color (most likely orange or red), then the spider isn't mature yet.

I haven't found a picture of a male and female P. Audax that showed any striking differences. The only way I can tell is by looking closely at the front two legs. All male jumping spiders have little bulbs on the tip of their forelimbs, for their mating dance.

As for feeding, give them a cricket or a katydid and observe their abdomen after they are done feeding. It should have gotten larger. Simply wait about three or four days for it to shrink down (just make sure it isn't shriveled..)
This spider doesn't eat when it isn't hungry anyway, it will just avoid food.

I hope this helps ^_^

[ScottySalticid]

I suggest an area slightly bigger than a bottle, maybe the size of a small shoebox. Just make sure plenty of light can get in...
Since the box would be large for the spider, I would put in something like a small candy box, for the spider to make it's actual home.
My Phidippus Audax is simply kept at room temperature, at no particular humidity. She seems perfectly active and functional.

P. Audax specimens are black with markings on their abdomen. If the markings are white, they are mature. If they are some other color (most likely orange or red), then the spider isn't mature yet.

I haven't found a picture of a male and female P. Audax that showed any striking differences. The only way I can tell is by looking closely at the front two legs. All male jumping spiders have little bulbs on the tip of their forelimbs, for their mating dance.

As for feeding, give them a cricket or a katydid and observe their abdomen after they are done feeding. It should have gotten larger. Simply wait about three or four days for it to shrink down (just make sure it isn't shriveled..)
This spider doesn't eat when it isn't hungry anyway, it will just avoid food.

I hope this helps ^_^

I'm keeping my audax in small snack containers that are slightly smaller than 1 gal mason jars. It's clear and I keep them out on my desk, so they get their fair share of light. I'm collecting little sticks for them to climb, as well as little spiders to feed them haha. Think this will be ok?

[ScottySalticid]

Here's a picture of the snack container and me holding it for a size reference.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb258/FalconPunch19/Paudaxcontainer.jpg

[Motzo]

My firewall is blocking whatever you're using to host the photo -_-
It should be big enough if you can fit twigs in there without it being crowded.

I'm sure they eat other spiders, but they kill for crickets, katydids, and grasshoppers. Literally.
Mine'll eat a katydid twice her size.

That will likely be more than plenty. Let me know if you get 'em both to mate. Maybe then I'll find one for mine >.<

Oh, I forgot to ask, are you using a substrate? I'm not currently, and I'm wondering if I should...

[ScottySalticid]

My firewall is blocking whatever you're using to host the photo -_-
It should be big enough if you can fit twigs in there without it being crowded.

I'm sure they eat other spiders, but they kill for crickets, katydids, and grasshoppers. Literally.
Mine'll eat a katydid twice her size.

That will likely be more than plenty. Let me know if you get 'em both to mate. Maybe then I'll find one for mine >.<

Oh, I forgot to ask, are you using a substrate? I'm not currently, and I'm wondering if I should...

I just folded up a paper towel up to put on the bottom. That's it.

[Motzo]

Yeah, that container would be good enough. Upgrade the container when you find it convenient, jumping spiders look cooler when they have got a lot of hunting room >.<

I'm currently using no substrate.. if I do, it will probably be dirt -_-
Right now she's barricaded herself in a Mike 'n Ike box. I'm wondering what she's doing...