Forget ordinary dogs and cats! My gentle giant tarantula has outlived three family pets, while my tiny jumping spider recognizes my face better than my own brother does. Which fascinating eight-legged companion should you choose?
While jumping spiders rely on their agility, tarantulas depend on their defense mechanisms to ward off potential threats.
Key Points:
- Tarantulas are much larger than jumping spiders
- Jumping spiders have better vision and are more active
- Tarantulas live much longer than jumping spiders
- Both have mild venom that isn’t dangerous to most people
- Jumping spiders are easier for beginners to keep as pets
Size & Appearance Comparison
I’ll never forget the day my Brachypelma hamorii tarantula, Fuzzy, scared my mom when she saw his massive 6-inch leg span! Tarantulas are the sumo wrestlers of the spider world, while jumping spiders are like tiny gymnasts.
Most tarantula species stretch 2.5-10 inches across—bigger than your hand! Meanwhile, even the largest jumping spider species like Hyllus diardi barely reach the size of a quarter. Talk about a weight difference—my tarantula weighs more than 60 jumping spiders combined!
The eye arrangement is another dead giveaway. When you look at a jumping spider, those two big front eyes stare back like tiny binoculars. I swear my jumping spider Pedro actually recognizes me! Tarantulas, bless their fuzzy legs, have eyesight about as good as I do without my glasses—which is to say, terrible.
“The difference in spider size ratio is striking. A Goliath birdeater tarantula can weigh as much as 85 grams, while most jumping spiders weigh less than a paperclip,” says Dr. Robert Breene, tarantula expert from the American Tarantula Society.
Habitat & Where They Live
Tarantulas are basically the homebodies of the spider world. Most Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican red knee tarantulas) dig tarantula burrows like tiny underground apartments. They’re the stay-at-home types who rarely travel more than a few feet from their front door.
Jumping spiders, on the other hand, are the world travelers of spiderdom. You can find these little adventurers practically everywhere except Antarctica—even in my garden in Minnesota! Last summer, I spotted a bold jumper hunting on my tomato plants in the middle of a heat wave.
Both types of spiders evolved with different spider habitat differences. It’s like comparing someone who lives in a cave to someone who backpacks around the world. The spider taxonomy differences show they took very different paths in the family tree.
Behavior & How They Hunt
The arachnid movement comparison reminds me of comparing my uncle (who barely leaves his couch) to my hyperactive 5-year-old nephew:
| Spider Behavior | Tarantula | Jumping Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting style | Waits for prey to come near | Actively hunts and jumps on prey |
| Vision | Poor eyesight | Excellent vision (best of any spider) |
| Movement | Slow, deliberate | Quick, can jump 50× their body length |
| Intelligence | Basic responses | Can solve problems and plan ahead |
The spider intelligence comparison is wild! My jumping spider Luna figured out how to escape her enclosure by pushing on the lid in just the right spot. If spiders went to school, jumping spiders would be getting straight A’s while tarantulas might need some extra help with their homework.
Venom & Bites
Don’t worry—neither of these eight-legged friends is out to get you! Both have spider venom composition about as dangerous as a bee sting (unless you’re allergic). I’ve been keeping spiders for 10 years and never been bitten once—they’re not exactly chomping at the bit to sink their fangs into humans.
Tarantulas have a hilarious tarantula defense that reminds me of a pillow fight gone wrong. When scared, they kick itchy urticating hairs at you! My friend Jake learned this the hard way when he got too close to my Chilean Rose Hair. His arm looked like he’d hugged a cactus! Jumping spiders don’t have these hairs. Their jumping spider defense is simply to leap away faster than you can say “spider.”
“The spider venom potency comparison shows neither is dangerous to humans. No deaths have ever been confirmed from either spider,” explains Dr. Wayne Maddison, jumping spider expert at the Arachnological Society of America.
Lifespan & Reproduction
One of the biggest spider comparison shockers is lifespan—it’s like comparing tortoises to mayflies:
- Female tarantulas: 15-30 years (My first tarantula might outlive my car!)
- Male tarantulas: 4-8 years
- Female jumping spiders: 1-3 years
- Male jumping spiders: 6 months-1.5 years (Blink and you’ll miss them)
The arachnid reproduction is equally fascinating. My tarantula laid an egg sac with hundreds of tiny spiderlings—like a kindergarten class I wasn’t prepared to teach! Jumping spiders are more modest in their family planning, usually producing fewer than 200 babies. And get this—mama jumping spiders actually stick around to babysit, unlike tarantula moms who are more “good luck, you’re on your own” types.
Pet Care Comparison
Choosing between these exotic pet spiders is like deciding between a dog and a hamster—one’s a long commitment!
- Tarantula care: Needs a tank bigger than my first apartment, eats 1-2 big crickets weekly (which sometimes escape and chirp all night), costs $25-$500 depending on the species.
- Jumping spider care: Needs just a container the size of a coffee mug, eats fruit flies smaller than this period → . , costs about what you’d spend on a nice lunch ($15-$75).
The spider keeper community on TikTok has exploded since 2023, with jumping spider videos getting millions of views! Stan Schultz, author of the Tarantula Keeper’s Guide, suggests: “If you’re new to keeping spiders, a Phidippus audax (bold jumping spider) is an excellent first choice.”
Which is Right For You?
When comparing tarantula temperament vs jumping spider temperament, think about these factors (I’ve learned some of these lessons the hard way!):
- Space: Tarantulas need a bigger home than jumping spiders—kind of like comparing a St. Bernard to a Chihuahua
- Time: Tarantulas live so long they might appear in your will! My college tarantula is still going strong at 17 years old.
- Handling: Jumping spiders are safer to hold briefly. My jumping spider Pepper sits on my hand like a tiny puppy!
- Activity: Jumping spiders are more fun to watch—they’re like tiny parkour athletes
- Budget: Jumping spiders won’t eat you out of house and home
For more detailed information on spider care, check out the American Arachnological Society’s care guides.
FAQ
Are tarantulas or jumping spiders more dangerous?
Neither is dangerous. Both have mild venom. Tarantulas might cause more pain with a bite, but they rarely bite people.
Which lives longer?
Tarantulas live much longer. Female tarantulas can live up to 30 years, while jumping spiders usually live 1-3 years.
Can I keep them together?
No! Never put different spiders together. The bigger one will eat the smaller one.
Which spider has better vision?
Jumping spiders have amazing vision. Their arachnid eye arrangement lets them see almost as well as cats. Learn more about spider vision at Jumping Spider Vision Research.
Which is easier for beginners?
Jumping spiders are better for beginners because they’re smaller, cheaper, and easier to care for. Their spider terrarium setup is much simpler than what tarantulas need.
I started with a jumping spider five years ago and now have three tarantulas too.
It’s like potato chips—you can’t have just one! Whether you choose a gentle giant or a tiny acrobat, these amazing creatures will definitely give your friends something to talk about at your next dinner party.
