This is a care guide for Phidippus regius Jumping spiders specifically in the UK. Care will be different in other countries, where climates vary greatly.
Phidippus regius are just one of the amazing jumping spider varieties found all across the world. Phidippus regius are most commonly found in Florida, but can be found across the US, Bahamas, Cuba, and even Jamaica.
Females can grow up to 22mm, whilst their male counterparts are usually a little smaller. They are a beautiful, friendly, and easy to care for spider, so lets jump right in!
enclosures
They are an arboreal spider, which means that they will require an enclosure that's taller than it is wide. They also like to make small hammocks to chill out in, usually at the top of their enclosures. For this reason I recommend using an enclosure which opens from either the bottom, or the front. That way you will be able to avoid tearing apart their hammock each day when you open their enclosure. The enclosure should be well ventilated, to avoid stagnant conditions.
I recommend smaller enclosures, or smoothie cups for slings L4-L6, and 15x20cm enclosures after this. Sometimes you can even go a little larger depending on the size of your spider. We need to give our spiders enough room to bounce around and explore, but not so much room that they have a hard time finding their prey.
You can give your spiders places to hide, and explore using cork bark, fake plants, or even real plants. Other types of wood may be used, but be aware that some of these tend to mould rather quickly. You will also need a layer of substrate at the bottom of the enclosure. This is essential for helping you to keep your humidity levels correct, and it will also provide a soft landing if your spider were to fall. In my experience, I have found it extremely difficult to keep the humidity at the correct level without substrate. If you are not planning on keeping live plants in your enclosure, then coco fibre is inexpensive, and holds moisture very well. If you are using plants, you will need to use something with good nutritional content. I use Arcadia earth mix for this, and all my plants have done brilliantly.
Lighting and Temperature
Jumping spiders don't need any specialist lights. A nice bright LED desk lamp, or strip lights (switched on for at least 12 hours a day will do great. Bright lights are a must to keep your spider happy and active. They have very good eye sight, and need a lot of light to help them hunt.
I recommend keeping P. regius spiders between 24c and 26c, without overnight temperatures of at least 20c . Just by taking a quick look at their natural environment, we will see that the UK gets significantly colder than these places. Unfortunately, the temperature in most peoples houses is not adequate for keeping a healthy, thriving, jumping spider. They can absolutely tolerate cooler temperatures for short periods, but you will find that your jumping spider is more active, and will eat much better, with proper temperatures.
There are many ways to regulate the temperatures for your P. regius, but my preferred method is to use a heat mat and thermostat. Heat mats should be placed behind the enclosure, but not touching it, never underneath. You should also use a thermostat to prevent overheating. a thermostat will ensure the enclosure doesn't get too hot for your spider, by switching the mat off when the enclosure has reached the max temperature set.
Humidity and drinking
Water bowls are not appropriate for jumping spiders, due to the risk of drowning. The best way to offer water to your jumping spiders, is by spraying one side of the enclosure lightly every day. Be careful not to make these droplets too big. It will also help to keep the humidity in your enclosure adequate, which is essential for your spider to moult well.
Feeding
I've found that most spiders favourite food is more often than not, flies! Green bottles and blue bottles are an excellent source of food for your spiders, and are safe to leave in the enclosure. You can also use locusts, and crickets with caution, as these feeders can deliver a nasty bite, and a strong kick. Mealworms are another option, but like locusts and crickets, they can bite, and may also bury into substrate, and pupate into beetles. These can be dangerous for your spider. Wax worms are also a nice treat adult spiders, and will turn into moths if left long enough, which are also safe to feed.
A note on locales
You will probably have seen Phidippus regius rastifari blue mountains/soroa/Isla juventud etc. These spiders are all the same kind of spider, (Phidippus. regius) the other name simply identifies the origins of the spider. so P. regius Isla Juventud is a Phidippus regius that comes from the Isla de la Juventud in Cuba.
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