Steph's Spider Ranch

20/07/2024

SoulStang is an amazing non-profit dedicated to providing support and empowerment to veterans or those with PTSD through equine therapy with mustangs.

Join us on LABOR DAY, Monday, September 2nd between NOON-3pm for Hometown Heroes day at Homearama to learn more about SoulStang’s amazing mission and the healing power of mustangs!

01/09/2019

Yesterday may not have been all roses for the ardens, Cordelia and Langdon, but today was all love for Sinister and Junepy.

Sinister is the brother of my gal, Siggy, and the only mature male audax currently at The Spider Ranch. Sin is a captive born and raised fella from a good spidey friend of mine, Heidi. He has attempted meeting a few other lady friends before, with no luck, and even narrowly escaped being bitten by ornery Roygina!
This time, though, he very quickly wooed my WC gal, Junepy. I have had Junepy for 3 molts, she was a tiny thing when my son found her for me. I can't believe she's all grown already, and hopefully about to produce her first set of babies for me.

31/08/2019

Unfortunately, Cordelia was not in the mood to meet Langdon today. She gave him a definite "NO THANK YOU!", and even looked like she might chase him down. So I gently shooed Cordelia to a corner with the soft bristles of a paint brush, and scooped Langdon up and back to his home.

Maybe next time, buddy. We tried.

31/08/2019

Today we are trying to introduce our ardens pair Langdon and Cordelia. Hopefully dear Cordelia is in a good mood and takes a liking to her new friend, she can be such a cranky pants. Langdon is definitely interested in her though!

I'm on stand by with my trusty paint brush, in case Cordelia decides Landon looks more like lunch than a lover LOL

31/08/2019

This little cutie is still the only one out of the nest yet for DC's brood. I think I have fallen in love with him/her already. This morning this wee little spood jumped right on to my hand with out any hesitation. I am setting them up in their own home already, because this one is definately gonna be a keeper. I hope he/she may eventually turn out to have their mother's unique silver coloration.
Here's a short video of the cuteness that is a baby spider on their first human exploration expedition.

31/08/2019

We have our 1st adventurous baby from DC's batch of babies! Woohoo! About to have 2 nests of mobile spiderlings!

28/08/2019

Miss Siggy is always ever so curious. She always comes right out to say hello when ever I interact with her. Siggy came to me from a friend and fellow spider enthusiast here in Ohio. She is captive born and raised, and has always been one of my more social and interactive spiders.
I like to imagine she's full of questions LOL "Is it dinner time, human? Is it crickets again? Can I come out and explore? Why are you pointing that bright light at me again?"

27/08/2019

I just love everything about their tiny legs and fat little bodies! These little audax (Bold Jumping Spider) spiderlings (aka "slings") are exploring every inch of their mother's old enclosure. Within a couple weeks they will move to temporary homes to grow some more until they are large enough to be sorted into potential males/females. Then they will again move into new, solitary homes to prevent aggression as the mature.

26/08/2019

It's official! Roygina's gang is on the move! Within a week or so I will start separating them into smaller groups of similar size, to prevent the larger ones from cannibalizing all their smaller siblings.

25/08/2019

Love these babes ❤❤❤

24/08/2019

Its official! Roygina's babies are growing up! I spotted the first couple slings to leave the nest and start exploring!
🕷❤🕷

18/08/2019

Here is a link for anyone is interested in more information about these wonderful spiders, and guides to introduce you to their proper care and housing. This site has some wonderful information.

https://www.mypetjumpingspider.com/getting-started/

Before you get a pet jumping spider you should decide whether or not they are the right pet for you. You should also have supplies and an enclosure ready.

16/08/2019

I managed to catch a quick video of Roygina's crew today. I interrupted their nap to lightly mist their enclosure, so they woke up to get a drink! They scurry to the edges of the nest to sip from water droplets ❤ Standing water is a big drowning risk for the babies, so my preferred method to water them is a fine misting spray bottle.

15/08/2019

I suggest using great caution when booping your spider friends, don't want to squish anyone!

14/08/2019

Babies, babies EVERYWHERE! I currently have 2 clutches of audax (Bold Jumper) spiderlings waiting to emerge from their nests. One clutch from my girl DC and one from Roygina ❤

09/08/2019

Look at this adorable video! The Dodo did an interview with one of the Jumping Spider communities favorite breeders ❤🕷❤

09/08/2019

I have people ask me quite often how big my spiders are. I always tell everyone "just big enough" 😉
But here is a photo of one of my first Jumping Spiders, Torvi, next to a quarter. As you can see, she's smaller than a quarter, maybe as wide as it if she spread her legs out. She was a full grown, mature Phidippus audax, also known as "Bold Jumpers". Different species vary in size, but most of the ones I keep here at the Ranch are similar to Torvi.

09/08/2019

Here are a few more photos of our current "Cover Girl". Everyone meet Penelope!

Penelope is an adult, orange phase Phidippus regius, also called the "Regal Jumping Spider."
She is the daughter of the famous "Penny" you see mentioned on all the jumping spider group pages. Her father is Pan. Penelope was a wonderful gift to me, sent by the amazing Brandon Lee Hester at Big Phat Phids.

Penelope is one of my favorites, she is calm and inquisitive. She loves sitting on my hand and watching everything around her. Her favorite food is blue bottle flies, but a fat, juicy wax worm is always a tempting treat also.

09/08/2019

Hello everyone!

After months and months of debating and putting it off, I have finally made a page! As my spider collection continues to grow and multiply, I figure why not make them their own dedicated page? This way I can keep all my spider lovers up to date on the whole crew, as well as being able to keep people in the loop about when the new spiderlings are ready for new homes.
So, pardon the chaos and boring lack of posts during the first few days. I promise I will get the page in order soon.

Steph ❤🕷