Regal Jumping Spider Care Guide
The Regal Jumping Spider (Phidippus regius) is a small, colourful, intelligent, and highly curious species. Their excellent vision, active hunting style, and individual personalities make them fascinating pets to observe. With a suitable enclosure, good ventilation, appropriate humidity, and a regular supply of appropriately sized live prey, they are relatively straightforward to keep.
Note: Care requirements can vary with age, individual spider, and locality. The recommendations below are intended specifically for P. regius and should be adjusted according to the spider's behaviour and condition.
Behaviour
Regal Jumping Spiders are diurnal hunters that use their exceptional vision to locate, stalk, and pounce on prey rather than relying on large prey-catching webs.
They are often highly inquisitive and may follow movement outside their enclosure. Individual personalities vary, but their curious behaviour is one of the qualities that makes them such engaging pets.
They are capable predators and may tackle surprisingly large prey, but food should always be appropriately sized to reduce the risk of injury.
Enclosure
A vertical enclosure is ideal because P. regius is naturally arboreal and spends much of its time climbing.
An enclosure around 12 × 12 × 20 cm can be suitable for many individuals, although the enclosure should be appropriate for the spider's life stage.
Front-opening is strongly recommended
Choose a front-opening enclosure rather than a top-opening enclosure whenever possible.
Jumping spiders naturally build their dense silk sleeping and moulting hammocks at the highest point of the enclosure. Opening a top lid can tear apart these webs and unnecessarily disturb or stress the spider, particularly when it is preparing to moult.
A front-opening enclosure allows access to the spider while leaving its important upper retreats undisturbed.
Enclosure essentials
Provide plenty of vertical climbing space.
Use secure cross-ventilation.
Include branches, foliage, cork, and other safe climbing surfaces.
Avoid sharp decorations.
Keep jumping spiders individually, as they are solitary and may attack or cannibalise one another.
Ventilation, Temperature & Humidity
Good airflow is essential. The enclosure should have adequate ventilation so humidity does not become stagnant. Excess moisture and poor airflow can encourage mould and other health problems.
A suitable temperature range is approximately 21–28°C. Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures; temperatures below approximately 15°C or above 29°C can cause significant stress.
Humidity can generally be maintained around 50–75%, depending on the individual and enclosure. The enclosure should not remain constantly wet.
A small digital thermometer and hygrometer can help monitor conditions.
Hydration
Jumping spiders obtain much of their moisture from their prey, but additional hydration can be provided by lightly misting one enclosure wall.
Mist lightly approximately 1–3 times per week, adjusting according to ventilation and conditions.
Allow the enclosure to dry appropriately between misting.
Avoid open or deep water dishes, as jumping spiders can drown.
Feeding
Regal Jumping Spiders are active predators and should be offered appropriately sized live prey.
Suitable food includes:
Flightless fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster)
Larger fruit flies such as Drosophila hydei
House flies
Green bottle flies
Small roaches
Small crickets
Small moths
Flying prey can be particularly effective because movement stimulates natural hunting behaviour.
Feeding frequency
Slings and young instars: Offer appropriately sized prey approximately every 1–2 days.
Juveniles and adults: Offer food approximately every 2–3 days, adjusting according to appetite, abdomen size, age, and activity.
Do not be concerned if a spider refuses food while preparing to moult.
Remove live prey if it remains in the enclosure and begins bothering the spider, particularly during moulting.
Moulting
Moulting is a critical stage in a jumping spider's life. The spider sheds its old exoskeleton to grow.
Signs of an approaching moult
Reduced activity
Refusing food
A duller appearance
Building a dense silk hammock
Spending extended periods inside its retreat
A spider preparing to moult should be left completely undisturbed.
Do not handle it or introduce potentially dangerous prey. Maintain appropriate humidity and ventilation rather than making the enclosure excessively wet.
After moulting, the spider's new exoskeleton remains soft and vulnerable. Allow approximately 24–48 hours before feeding or handling, depending on the individual.
Handling
Jumping spiders can sometimes tolerate gentle interaction, but they are very delicate and do not need regular handling.
If handling is necessary:
Move slowly and calmly.
Allow the spider to approach you rather than grabbing it.
Use a soft brush or small container for transfers.
Keep sessions brief.
Never squeeze or restrain the spider.
Avoid handling near high surfaces where a fall could cause injury.
If the spider retreats, moves frantically, or repeatedly attempts to escape, return it to its enclosure.
Health Problems
Dehydration: Possible signs include lethargy and a shrivelled abdomen. Provide appropriate hydration through lightly misted enclosure surfaces while maintaining good ventilation.
Mites and parasites: Regular cleaning and careful sourcing of feeder insects can help reduce the risk of infestations.
Mould and fungal problems: Excess moisture and poor ventilation can encourage mould and fungal growth. Good airflow and sensible misting are important preventative measures.
Injuries: Jumping spiders are fragile. Falls, rough handling, or interactions with oversized prey can cause injury. Provide plenty of safe climbing surfaces and avoid excessive drop heights.
Sexing
Sexing P. regius becomes easier as the spider matures.
Pedipalps: Mature males develop enlarged, bulbous pedipalps used for mating; females have comparatively slender pedipalps.
Size and build: Females are often larger and have a fuller abdomen, although size alone is unreliable.
Colouration: Males and females can display different colour patterns, but colour varies and should not be used as the sole method of identification.
Behaviour: Males may display courtship behaviours such as leg waving and dancing.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Regular observation and simple maintenance help keep the enclosure healthy.
Remove uneaten prey and waste as necessary.
Check ventilation regularly.
Monitor temperature and humidity.
Inspect the spider for changes in behaviour or appearance.
Remove mould or excessive debris.
Keep decorations secure.
A full substrate change can be performed periodically, with approximately 4–6 weeks being a reasonable general interval when substrate is used. Avoid unnecessarily dismantling the enclosure, particularly when the spider has established a silk retreat.
Enrichment
Provide opportunities for natural climbing and hunting behaviour with:
Vertical branches
Leaves and foliage
Cork bark
Safe climbing surfaces
High sheltered areas for silk retreats
Areas from which the spider can observe its surroundings
Avoid frequent major changes that unnecessarily disturb established hammocks.
Essential Care Checklist
Regularly
Observe activity and appearance.
Check temperature and humidity.
Offer appropriately sized live prey.
Lightly mist an enclosure surface when hydration is needed.
Remove waste and problematic prey.
Check that ventilation remains unobstructed.
During moulting
Leave the spider completely undisturbed.
Do not handle it.
Avoid dangerous live prey.
Maintain appropriate humidity and ventilation.
Allow time for the new exoskeleton to harden.
Final Care Principles
The key to keeping a Regal Jumping Spider healthy is balance: provide moisture without a constantly wet enclosure, warmth without excessive heat, and plenty of appropriately sized food.
Most importantly, provide a well-ventilated, vertically oriented, front-opening enclosure, suitable live prey, safe hydration, appropriate environmental conditions, and plenty of undisturbed time when the spider retreats to its upper hammock.
With these needs met, Phidippus regius can be an exceptionally rewarding species to keep and observe.
Quick Care Specifications