These teeny tiny spiders are social media stars
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Jumping spiders are winning over people with long-held fears of arachnids.
PHOTO: EMILY NAJERA/NYTIMES
Alexandra Alter
- Jumping spiders have become popular pets and social media stars due to their small size, charming behaviour, and unique looks, with breeders like Lauren Taylor meeting growing demand.
- Many people overcome fear of spiders through social media, turning into enthusiasts who keep and sell jumping spiders, despite some criticism from animal rights groups.
- Pet store chains have started selling jumping spiders, increasing availability but causing concern among indie breeders about animal welfare and commercialisation of these arachnids.
AI generated
To a lot of people, Lauren Taylor’s home in Reno, Nevada, might seem like something out of a nightmare. She has around 2,000 spiders living in her house, a number that grows by the day as gravid, or pregnant, females lay egg clutches with dozens of new spider babies.
Taylor, a 35-year-old graphic designer, breeds and sells jumping spiders, which have quickly become the internet’s favourites: tiny, fuzzy stars of viral videos chronicling their antics.
