Bark jumping spider (Marpissa muscosa)

Short answers

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

15×15×20 cm (rather flat and richly structured, with bark surfaces).

Bark jumping spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, at night 16–20 °C (slight night-time drop).

Bark jumping spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential; bright lighting with a daylight spectrum encourages natural behaviour.

Bark jumping spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 1–2 years (can live several years if overwintered).

Bark jumping spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C (slight night-time drop)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential; bright lighting with a daylight spectrum encourages natural behaviour

Enclosure

Minimum size

15×15×20 cm (rather flat and richly structured, with bark surfaces)

Substrate

Dry to moderately damp (coco humus or sand); plenty of bark, twigs and old pieces of wood to climb on and hide under

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies (Drosophila), micro crickets, small springtails; small flies as adults

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

females approx. 8–11 mm, males approx. 7–8 mm body length

Life expectancy

approx. 1–2 years (can live several years if overwintered)

Origin

Europe (southern Scandinavia to the Mediterranean) and parts of Asia (Turkey, the Caucasus); structurally rich dry habitats, on bark, fences and walls

Protection status

A native species, not specially protected, no CITES; take from the wild sparingly and gently, and prefer captive breeding

Brumation

In the wild it overwinters as a subadult in a silk chamber under bark; kept indoors no deliberate winter rest is needed, though a cooler spell (10–15 °C) is natural for it

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Solitary and territorial, with cannibalism – no permanent pairs or groups.

Notes

The largest native jumping spider, easy to keep and to watch. A bark dweller – flat, broad climbing surfaces matter more than height. Keep it rather drier and cooler than tropical species. Sources: Wikipedia, arages.de, naturspektrum.

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Related species

• Algerian jumping spider (Cyrba algerina) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bark jumping spider (Marpissa muscosa) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (15×15×20 cm (rather flat and richly structured, with bark surfaces)), substrate (Dry to moderately damp (coco humus or sand); plenty of bark, twigs and old pieces of wood to climb on and hide under), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.