Algerian jumping spider (Cyrba algerina)

Short answers

Algerian jumping spider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

15×15×20 cm (tall format, plenty of climbing and hiding structures, cork and stones).

Algerian jumping spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Algerian jumping spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 1 year (short-lived).

Algerian jumping spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Algerian jumping spider: Can several be kept together?

Keeping them singly is essential – like all jumping spiders strictly solitary and cannibalistic, and additionally araneophagic (it deliberately eats other spiders).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–65 %

Enclosure

Minimum size

15×15×20 cm (tall format, plenty of climbing and hiding structures, cork and stones)

Substrate

Coco humus or terrarium soil with rock structures, a dry area plus one damp corner

Feeding

Food

Prefers spiders, especially web-building species (around 56% of prey in the wild, half of that orb-weavers). Besides that it also regularly eats insects it hunts away from webs — in captivity, flightless fruit flies, micro-crickets and small flies.

Feeding interval

adults ~1–2×/week, juveniles more often (every 1–2 days)

Key facts

Adult size

females 4.2–6.7 mm, males 3.5–4.9 mm (body length)

Life expectancy

approx. 1 year (short-lived)

Origin

The Mediterranean (southern Europe, North Africa) to the Caucasus and Near East; the only European Cyrba species

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; wild-caught native or European species fall under general species protection – prefer captive-bred animals

Brumation

A cool period mainly for sub-adult animals: in the wild the spiderlings hatch at the end of July, overwinter as sub-adults and only mature in spring. A few weeks at 10–15 °C replicates this and is useful for breeding; a cool period isn't necessary for already-adult animals.

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is essential – like all jumping spiders strictly solitary and cannibalistic, and additionally araneophagic (it deliberately eats other spiders). NEVER keep males together; mate them only briefly and under supervision.

Notes

A specialist: rare in herpetoculture, with barely any solid keeper data → the husbandry figures are derived from general salticid care plus its biology (uncertain). Being araneophagous (about 56 % of its prey is spiders) makes feeding demanding. Distribution and size are well documented; concrete climate figures for keeping it are uncertain.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Algerian jumping spider (Cyrba algerina) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Arched jumping spider (Evarcha arcuata) – Intermediate
• Bronze jumping spider (Hyllus semicupreus) – Beginner
• Peacock jumping spider (Saitis barbipes) – Intermediate
• Diard's jumping spider (Hyllus diardi) – Beginner
• Three-spotted jumping spider (Pellenes tripunctatus) – Intermediate
• Canopy jumping spider (Phidippus otiosus) – Beginner
• Fringed jumping spider (Portia fimbriata) – Expert
• Golden-eyed jumping spider (Heliophanus flavipes) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Algerian jumping spider (Cyrba algerina) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (15×15×20 cm (tall format, plenty of climbing and hiding structures, cork and stones)), substrate (Coco humus or terrarium soil with rock structures, a dry area plus one damp corner), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.