Arched jumping spider (Evarcha arcuata)

Short answers

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

15×15×20 cm (tall format, low vegetation, climbing branches).

Arched jumping spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C (room temperature is sufficient), at night 15–18 °C.

Arched jumping spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 1 year (females up to ~1.5 years).

Arched jumping spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Arched jumping spider: Can several be kept together?

Keeping them singly is essential – territorial, solitary and cannibalistic; NEVER keep males together.

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C (room temperature is sufficient)

Night temperature

15–18 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–70 %

Enclosure

Minimum size

15×15×20 cm (tall format, low vegetation, climbing branches)

Substrate

Coco humus or terrarium soil, moss, a little leaf litter; moderately damp

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies (Drosophila), small flies, silverfish, small house crickets

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles every 1–2 days

Key facts

Adult size

females 6–8 mm, males 5–6 mm (body length)

Life expectancy

approx. 1 year (females up to ~1.5 years)

Origin

The Palaearctic: Europe through the Caucasus and Russia to China and Japan; widespread in Germany

Protection status

Not listed under CITES or the German Federal Species Protection Ordinance; native wildlife – general species protection applies to wild-caught animals (§39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act, no taking without good reason)

Brumation

Yes – this native species overwinters (as a subadult) in a retreat web; in the terrarium a cool overwintering (~5–12 °C for a few weeks) makes sense, especially for wild-caught animals and breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is essential – territorial, solitary and cannibalistic; NEVER keep males together. Mate them only briefly and under supervision, then separate the male.

Notes

A small native meadow and heath species; it occupies low vegetation at both damp and dry sites. Barely established as a pet → the husbandry figures are derived from general salticid practice, while the distribution and size are well documented. Short-lived, usually with a one-year cycle.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Algerian jumping spider (Cyrba algerina) – 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 Arched jumping spider (Evarcha arcuata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (15×15×20 cm (tall format, low vegetation, climbing branches)), substrate (Coco humus or terrarium soil, moss, a little leaf litter; moderately damp), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.