Regal Jumping Spiders are known for their distinctive appearance, and their relatively easy care requirements make them a popular choice among spider enthusiasts.
Habitat: Phiddipus regius (Regal Jumping Spiders) need a secure, well-ventilated terrarium with cross ventilation. There's a variety of enclosures of different sizes that can be suitable for your new pet. We recommend staying away from top-opening enclosures, as Jumpers like building their hammock up high, and thier hammock can get ruined in a top-opening enclosure.
Also, beware of some commercial enclosures that are marketed as safe for spiders, like Zilla's medium arboreal enclosures. The gaps where the door opens and the vents are usually too large for spiders smaller than i9. It's very easy to lose a spider in these types of enclosures. If you go with a custom made enclosure, we can't stress enough to check with the vendor, how was it made, are the materials safe, and have they been sealed. Spiders are hardy but sensitive to many chemicals, which can be released by some materials used in enclosures.
Temperature and Humidity: Regal Jumping Spiders prefer a temperature range of 70-75°F and relative humidity of 60-70%. Maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels is important for the spider's health and well-being. Lightly misting the enclosure daily is a must, so the spider can drink and molt properly.
If your spider is in its hammock for more than a few days, its probably getting ready to molt, you can mist 2x a day during this time so they can molt properly. Bad molts can kill a spider. You also don't want to disturb the spider while its preparing to molt. Mist and offer food as normal, but don't force them to come out until they are ready. You should see them move when you mist, so you know they are doing okay. Never mist the spider directly, their book lungs are at the bottom of their body and they can drown in a very small amount of water. Even large water droplets can be fatal.
Lighting: Phiddipus regius jumping spiders do not require special lighting, but they do need access to natural or artificial light for several hours each day to maintain their circadian rhythm.
Feeding: Phiddipus regius jumping spiders are opportunistic predators that feed on insects and other small arthropods. We start our spiders on Melanogaster fruit flies, then Hydei fruit flies (bigger). Once the spdiers are about i5-6, we offer, Blue Bottle Fly larvae, or dubia roaches. Mealworms can be offered, under direct supervision, and should be removed if your spider doesn't take it when offered. Mealworms can attack and kill spiders.
You should look at your spider's abdomen to determine how much to feed, or if you should skip a meal (see feeding chart). Since they are opportunistic, spiders will often eat even when they are full, if food is offered. If your spider looks too full, skip the feeding but continue to mist daily. Do this until the abdomen looks less swollen, then resume feeding every 2-3 days.
Handling: While younger spiders can be quite shy, jumping away from your hands immediately, they do become more curious as they age. Jumping Spiders are highly intelligent and some people believe they can learn to recognize their owners. The best way we've found to teach our Jumpers that handling is okay, is to follow their lead. If they are in their hammock, we don't disturb them, but if they are out exploring we will open the enclosure and usually the spiderling will come to the opening and hold its front legs out (measuring distance to jump), we offer a finger and just hold it a few inches away. Typically, they learn to hop on to your finger, and then you can keep them entertained by allowing them to jump from hand to hand or walk on your hands. You will notice they leave a trail of webbing as they hop around, this is for their protection, if they jump and miss, the webbing keeps them from taking a hard fall which can injure them. It is advised to keep their enclosure close by, so if they are done hanging out or get spooked, they can be easily returned to their home. A clean, soft bristle brush is a great tool to have on hand in case the spider runs off, you can use the brush to gently direct them back to their enclosure.
With proper care and attention, Regal Jumping Spiders can make fascinating and entertaining pets. By providing them with a suitable habitat, proper temperature and humidity, and a regular supply of food, you can help ensure that your spider thrives and remains healthy.
For more info, or videos of us handling the jumping spiders, feel free to visit our Facebook, or Tiktok accounts (@jurassicreptilesupply), videos updated regularly.