Paraphidippus aurantius 'Emerald Jumper'
A large, strikingly iridescent North American jumper — increasingly popular and commercially bred.
About Paraphidippus aurantius
Paraphidippus aurantius is a large, visually striking jumping spider native to the eastern United States and parts of Central America. Females reach 10–16 mm and are typically brown to grey with lighter markings and a prominent white band around the carapace. Males are slightly smaller and darker, often displaying vivid iridescent green or blue-green chelicerae that catch the light spectacularly.
Closely related to Phidippus, Paraphidippus shares many of the same traits — good vision, bold behaviour, and a general tolerance of handling. P. aurantius is increasingly captive-bred and becoming more widely available. Females live 1–2 years; males typically 6–10 months.
Enclosure
P. aurantius must be housed individually. They are solitary arachnids and cohabitation will result in cannibalism. Only introduce individuals for brief, supervised mating.
Provide a vertical arboreal enclosure of at least 20×20×30 cm for adults. Cork bark, branches, and live or silk plants give them climbing surfaces and anchor points for their silk retreat sac. Front-opening enclosures are preferable to top-opening designs. Good cross-ventilation with mesh panels on at least two sides is essential to prevent stale, humid air.
Temperature & humidity
P. aurantius does well at 22–28°C. In cooler climates, a small heat mat on the side of the enclosure can maintain adequate warmth. Avoid temperatures below 20°C for extended periods.
Maintain 50–70% humidity by misting one side of the enclosure every 2–3 days. Water droplets on enclosure walls and plants provide drinking opportunities. Let the other side dry fully between mistings. Never mist the spider directly.
Feeding
P. aurantius is a keen visual hunter with a healthy appetite. Feed appropriately sized live prey every 2–3 days:
- Spiderlings: melanogaster fruit flies
- Juveniles: hydei fruit flies, small crickets, waxworms
- Adults: crickets, bottle flies, dubia roaches, mealworms
Keep prey no larger than the spider's abdomen. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours — live crickets left overnight can stress or injure a moulting spider. Pre-moult fasting lasting days or weeks is entirely normal.
Handling
P. aurantius is generally amenable to handling once settled, though individual temperament varies. Some are bold and readily walk onto hands; others are more skittish. Let them walk onto your hand of their own accord and keep sessions short.
Their large anterior median eyes give them sharp, detailed vision — they will track your face and react to movement. Handle indoors, close to a soft surface, and never during or just after a moult when the new exoskeleton is still soft.