🕷️ Regal Jumping Spider Care Guide
Introduction
The Regal Jumping Spider (Phidippus regius) is one of the most popular and charismatic true spiders in the hobby. Native to the southeastern United States, particularly Florida, this species has become a favorite among enthusiasts for its big curious eyes, bold personality, and gentle nature.
Unlike many arachnids, Regal Jumpers show remarkable awareness of their surroundings — they turn to look at you, learn enclosure boundaries, and even display subtle individual quirks. They’re ideal for those seeking an interactive and visually engaging spider, especially as an introduction to true spider keeping.
🌎 Natural Habitat
In the wild, Phidippus regius thrives in warm, sunny regions, inhabiting tree trunks, fences, tall grasses, and human structures. They rely on excellent vision to locate prey and mates rather than spinning traditional webs.
Instead, they build small silken retreats used for resting, molting, or laying eggs. These retreats are often located under bark, in crevices, or behind leaves.
To replicate their natural habitat in captivity, aim for a bright, well-ventilated, semi-arboreal environment with vertical climbing space.
🏡 Enclosure Setup
Jumping Spiders are active, inquisitive hunters that thrive with environmental enrichment.
Recommended enclosure size:
- Juveniles: 10 × 10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 × 4 in)
- Adults: 20 × 20 × 30 cm (8 × 8 × 12 in) vertical
Setup essentials:
- Substrate: Thin layer of dry coco fibre or soil — primarily for humidity balance.
- Decor: Branches, bark, cork tubes, artificial plants, and leaves for exploration and retreats.
- Retreat space: Provide silk anchor points near the top of the enclosure.
- Lighting: Natural ambient light or soft LED (avoid direct heat).
- Ventilation: Excellent — mesh lids and side vents work well.
A well-structured enclosure encourages natural exploration and silk retreat construction.
🌡️ Temperature & Humidity
Regal Jumpers prefer warm, bright conditions similar to their native climate.
- Temperature: 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Humidity: 50–65 %
- Misting: Light mist every 2–3 days on enclosure walls (avoid direct misting on the spider).
Allow good airflow to prevent condensation while keeping the environment slightly humid.
🍴 Feeding
These spiders are active visual predators that rely on their exceptional eyesight to stalk and leap onto prey.
Feed a variety of live foods:
- Fruit flies (for slings)
- Small crickets
- Roaches
- Occasional waxworms or mealworms
Offer food 2–3 times per week, adjusting based on age and appetite. Regal Jumpers prefer to hunt during the day, and watching them stalk prey is always entertaining.
Avoid overfeeding — a slightly rounded abdomen is healthy, but excessive swelling can cause molting issues.
⚖️ Growth & Molting
Growth is steady and predictable under warm conditions. Before molting, a jumper will typically:
- Retreat into a silk cocoon
- Refuse food
- Stay motionless for several days
Do not disturb or feed during this time. Wait at least 3–4 days post-molt before offering food again.
Maintaining moderate humidity and stability during molts is essential for success.
⚠️ Temperament & Handling
Regal Jumping Spiders are curious, calm, and visually responsive. While capable of quick movements, they are not aggressive and rarely bite.
They can be gently encouraged onto a hand using a soft brush for observation, though handling should be limited and always done safely over a soft surface.
Their bold nature makes them one of the few spiders suitable for careful, short-term interaction — but always prioritize the spider’s comfort.
🧬 Lifespan & Size
- Body length: 12–18 mm (0.5–0.7 in)
- Leg span: Up to 25 mm (1 in)
- Lifespan: Females 1.5–2 years; males 1 year
Females are larger and more robust, while males are more slender with iridescent chelicerae.
🌿 Breeding Notes
Breeding Regal Jumping Spiders is straightforward with proper preparation. Introduce a mature male into the female’s enclosure under supervision.
If receptive, the female will allow courtship — a fascinating dance of visual signals and gentle approaches. After mating, the female constructs a silken egg sac within her retreat and guards it until spiderlings hatch.
Young jumpers are independent from birth and should be separated into small containers after dispersal.
✅ Key Care Summary
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phidippus regius |
| Common Name | Regal Jumping Spider |
| Origin | Southeastern United States |
| Category | Arboreal Active Hunter |
| Adult Size | 12–18 mm body, 25 mm leg span |
| Temperature | 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) |
| Humidity | 50–65 % |
| Temperament | Curious / Calm |
| Difficulty | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Handling | Minimal, with caution |
🔗 Related Guides
- Jumping Spider Overview
- True Spider Care Guide
- Crab & Sand Spider Care Guide
- Huntsman Spider Care Guide
🎥 For More Arachnid Related Content
Please see our YouTube Channel — The Tarantula Vault — for feeding clips, enclosure setups, and educational videos on Jumping Spiders and other arachnids.
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