Rescued an elderly Jumping Spider!

[StormyPica]

Yesterday, I was going to put my bike away after a long ride, and I saw this little Jumping Spider. Being very interested in Jumping Spiders, I decided to try to hold the spider. I went over to it, and just as I was about to attempt to hold it, it fell backwards and landed on it’s back on the ground. I picked it up, and tried to put it on a plant, but it just couldn’t grip the plant or my hand. It was also quite slow, and very cautious of everything. If I tried to put ot on any surface that wasn’t either heavily textured or parallel to the ground, it would fall off onto it’s back. Since I know lethargy and having a hard time gripping things are classic symptoms of old age in spiders, I decided to take it in. I’ve had a lot of experience with Jumping Spiders of all ages, so I knew I’d be able to give her the best care possible. I really just wanted to make her feel as safe as possible. I set up her terrarium with dried leaves, birch bark, and dried sphagnum moss (to mimic the fall season here, and so that she had stuff to grip), and she’s doing well! I’ve handled her a bit, both yesterday and today, and she’s very tame and chill. Everyone, meet Amber!

 

[StormyPica]

BTW, I’m pretty sure she is a female Regal Jumping Spider, she’s about the right size and definitely the right color for a female.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I want to be just like you when I grow up. Too late? Dang.

I admire your love for this darling little dowager. I hope she has a peaceful sunset in your warm care.

You go! Love it.

 

[MayMaroa]

Iv never liked spiders but this spider is cute!, and thanks for taking her in.

 

[LeeC]

Amber is quite possibly the luckiest geriatric spider on the planet! ...Her own seasonally appropriate terrarium. Wow. :]

 

[StormyPica]

OMG I can type on my computer again! I've been having some serious technological issues as of late, and I'm so happy I've found a way to resolve them!!! Hello PF! And thank you everyone for your supportive comments! Amber is doing quite well, I'm hoping she'll hunt some of the flightless fruit flies I put in her terrarium.

 

[HeatherG]

How is the very lucky spider doing?

 

[LeeC]

Amber is doing quite well, I'm hoping she'll hunt some of the flightless fruit flies I put in her terrarium.

Please do tell us more about those flightless fruit flies. You clip them yourself? :]

 

[StormyPica]

Please do tell us more about those flightless fruit flies. You clip them yourself? :]

Nope, they are just naturally(?) flightless. I don't tamper with them...

Also, Amber passed away. I knew it was going to happen soon, she was a senior spider. At least she died in a warm, comfortable terrarium (with plenty of plants, birch bark, and other hidey holes), with 2 or 3 flies at her disposal.

 

[foxgloveparrot]

Nope, they are just naturally(?) flightless. I don't tamper with them...

Also, Amber passed away. I knew it was going to happen soon, she was a senior spider. At least she died in a warm, comfortable terrarium (with plenty of plants, birch bark, and other hidey holes), with 2 or 3 flies at her disposal.

I’m so sorry Ollie 🫂 Amber was beautiful. Thanks for taking her in ❤️

 

[HeatherG]

I found a science fiction book about a whole society/ world of giant intelligent spiders. “Children of Time” by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This first book has a plot line about humans and a plot line about an intelligent, sentient spider society.

I hear the second book has a plot about sentient octopuses. But that book isn’t available yet.

 

[Rico_Tiel]

They can be elderly?

 

[StormyPica]

They can be elderly?

Yes.

 

[Rico_Tiel]

Yes.

That’s neat!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Yes.

Any living creature can be elderly!

 

[Rico_Tiel]

Any living creature can be elderly!

True but I never expected an arachnid to become elderly! Or any insect, myriapod, invertebrate (excluding some fish) mollusk, etc. to become elderly. Dunno why!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Any living creature can be elder

True but I never expected an arachnid to become elderly! Or any insect, myriapod, invertebrate (excluding some fish) mollusk, etc. to become elderly. Dunno why!

I suppose we don't think of any wild creatures dying of old age because older weaker animals are well known to be targets for predators but from the fact that they ARE, we must conclude that wild creatures can live long enough to become elderly. Because of predators their elderly state probably doesn't last very long. Unlike modern humans they obviously don't get medical care, their families don't watch after them, and there are no assisted living or nursing homes for aged wildlife! Zoos, however, have lots of geriatric critters.

 

[Rico_Tiel]

I suppose we don't think of any wild creatures dying of old age because older weaker animals are well known to be targets for predators but from the fact that they ARE, we must conclude that wild creatures can live long enough to become elderly. Because of predators their elderly state probably doesn't last very long. Unlike modern humans they obviously don't get medical care, their families don't watch after them, and there are no assisted living or nursing homes for aged wildlife! Zoos, however, have lots of geriatric critters.

I know wild animals can get elderly (quite a few ungulates are a fantastic example of that! And so are elephants!), I see quite a few cases of it, although I never really thought arthropods (excluding crustaceans) could become elderly. It was a dumb assumption but I guess I never really thought about it. Also they generally don’t have super long lifespans or they get eaten/stomped/smushed/clapped/poisoned/etc. before they can die of old age.