Jumping Spider Heating

Do Jumping Spiders Need Heat Mats?

Yes. The regal jumping spiders is a sub-tropical spider which means they love their enclosure to be warm and humid. The best way to heat your spiders enclosure is with specialist mats and thermostats. In this post I'll explain why your jumping spider would benifit from a heat mat, why you would not need one, and how to set up a heat mat safely.

Jumping Spider Heating Facts:

Phidippus Regius (Regal Jumping Spiders) are found in sunny Florida, through Cuba, and right down into the Caribbean.

Average temperatures in these locations ranges from a 20 to 28°c.

Phidippus Regius can survive in temps as low as 15°c.

Phidippus thrive in temperature between 24 to 26°c, locales such as Phidippus Regius Bahamas, and other island locales, prefer the warmer side of this temperature range.

Spiders are cold-blooded and are more active in a warmer enclosures, which helps them hunt and exercise.

Why Do Some People Say Jumping Spiders Don't Need Heating?

• Some keepers live in a sub tropical climate and don't have air conditioning inside their house, so their jumping spider will be happy and comfortable.

• Some keepers may have a reptile room, or designated areas, with lots of other heated vivarium and enclosures, this means the area/room stays at the right temperatures for a jumping spider all year round.

• Some keepers follow the out-of-date mantra of many tarantula owner and that if you are happy with the temperature then they are happy.

I always recommend a heat mat for jumping spiders, especially in the UK. It has been well noted that when a heat mat is provided, jumping spiders (and tarantulas for that matter) sit on the closest point to the heat mat on chilly days. This is because they are cold-blooded creatures, and will seek out warm sunny areas to warm them up, or retreat to cooler areas if too warm to regulate their body temperature manually. To recreate their natural habitat we need to use a heat mat (or heating cables if you need a greater area covered)

Sub-adult Male Regal Jumping Spider

What Type of Mat Does a Jumping Spider Need?

Jumping spiders need a 7 watt reptile heat mat, you can choose a higher wattage if you feel your home is particularly cold or draughty. If you have 4 or more enclosures, perhaps over a few shelves, you may find heating cables more suitable. The cable works the same way as a mat but can be zig-zagged behind many enclosure or snake up and down bookcases and shelves to cover a greater area. Due to the smaller surface of the wire compared to the a sized mat, the wire will get warmer than the mat but warm the enclosure to the same temperature. Heat Mats are roughly a4 sized for a 7 watt mat (more wattage = bigger mats) and can be laminated, or come encased in a rubber sleeve. Seedling mats will not reach the same temperature as mats designed for reptiles, and mats with built in thermostats only control the heat of the mat, not the heat of the enclosure.

Heat Mat WARNING:

Heat Mats MUST be used with a seperate thermostat (not thermometer). Using a heat mat without a thermostat can cause the mat to overheat quickly which is not only a danger to your spider, but a danger to your home.

Habistat are one of the leading manifacturers of reptile and invert electronics. Their mats are good quality and a fair price.

Super Reptile are a great brand, and their Repti Cable heating cable comes in different lengths.

Komodo are trusted and have a range of heat mats to fit most budgets.

Heat Mat Recommendations

Here are some popular choices for heat mats. I use the cables for my spider shelves and Habistat brand mats for each of my baby jumping spider drawers.

Key Points:

• 7 watt heat mat minimum.

• Designed for use with reptiles and/or inverts.

• Separate thermostat (not thermometer)

What sort of Thermostat is Best for a Pet Jumping Spider?

There are many different thermostats that will work with a 7 watt heat mat for a jumping spider; from simple dials to digital devices. What is important is that it has a sensor attached to monitor the temperature of the enclosure.

How does a Reptile Thermostat Work?

The thermostat has a plug to plug into the mains, a socket for you to plug the heating mat or cable into, and a sensor that can be placed into or on top of the enclosure. You set your desired enclosure temperature following the manufacturers instructions, and sensor monitors the enclosure temperature to turn the mat off an on as need. Depending on the make of thermostat, there will be a threshold either pre programmed into the thermostat or you will need to set this yourself using the instruction manual. Here is a little example of what that means: Lets say the temperature the thermostat is set to is 25°c. The pre-set threshold is normally 2 degrees lower than this, manually set temperature threshold can be however low you like (I have mine set to 2 degrees lower also), this means the mat will not come on to warm the enclosure to 25°c unless the temperature drops by 2 degrees to 23°c). The sensor triggers the mat to turn on and heat the mat until the enclosure temperature reaches 25°c, and when it does the mat will turn off. This stops the mat constantly turning off and on, while giving the spider a natural, slow and safe rise and fall of heat, rather than a constant barrage of one temperature.

Do I Need a Dimmer Thermostat?

No, this is not required for a jumping spider. A dimmer thermostat is designed for use with reptiles who require basking lamps and heat bulbs.

Can I Use a Heating Bulb for a Jumping Spider?

Heating bulbs are not ideal for jumping spider due to their drying and intense heat which can be harmful. There are tropical species of jumping spiders in fully bio glass enclosures that could use heat bulbs under the watchful eye of well seasoned keepers, but heat mats are safer, cheaper and much easier.

A simple dial thermostat from MicroClimate. Easy to set up and use

Nicrew Digital Thermostat are what I use currently. Inexpensive but a little complicated to program.

The simplicity of a dial thermostat but with the convenience of a digital display. The SwellReptiles is a popular choice.

Key Points:

• Has a sensor cable for the enclosure

• is a thermostat, not a thermometer

• Dimmer thermostats are not necessary.

How do I Set up a Heating Mat and Thermostat for a Jumping Spider?

Here is a step by step guide to setting up a heat mat:

1. Plug the thermostat into the mains and set the temperature to 26°c using the manufacturers instructions.

2. Plug the mat into the thermostat (not the mains).

3. Place the heat mat behind or beside the enclosure either propped or mounted to a suitable surface. The heat mat does not go under the enclosure, and shouldn't be mounted on the enclosure.

4. Place the thermostat sensor inside the enclosure; at the middle on one side is fine. If there is no way to pop the sensor inside the enclosure, or the enclosure is too small you can place the sensor outside the enclosure on the top as best you can. The inside of the enclosure will be about a degree warmer than what the sensor will read on the outside, so adjust your thermostat to a degree lower (25°c).

5. Start with your enclosure 1cm away from the heat mat, you can push the enclosure right up to the mat if the temperature isn't reaching the set temperature over the course of a day.

If you are having trouble setting up your heating system or have a question, then drop me an email to see if I can help you out. Until the, may your spider be active, your fruit flies be plentiful, and your heat mats be perfectly dialled in.