Phidippus regius 'Regal'
The biggest jumping spider most keepers will ever own. Bold, curious, and easy to bond with.
About Phidippus regius
Phidippus regius is the biggest jumping spider most keepers will own, and easily the most popular in the hobby. Females are larger (up to 22 mm) and typically grey or tan with lighter patterning; males are smaller and often jet black with white lateral bands or spots on the abdomen and frequently sport iridescent green chelicerae. Some colour forms show reddish tones, but colouration varies between individuals and localities.
They are noticeably intelligent and curious. They will actively track and observe you, tilting their head as they take in the world around them. You won't find many inverts that interact with you the way a settled regius does.
Females typically live 1–2 years, while males have shorter lifespans of around 6–12 months. Males mature faster and often die within a few months of reaching adulthood.
Enclosure
P. regius must be housed individually. Like all jumping spiders, they are solitary and will kill and eat cage-mates. Never house two together except during a brief, supervised mating introduction.
P. regius needs vertical space. A tall arboreal enclosure of at least 20×20×30 cm is recommended for adults. Front-opening designs are best, as reaching in from the top can startle them. Cross-ventilation is needed to prevent mould.
Decorate with cork bark, silk or live plants, and wooden branches to give them plenty of elevated anchor points. They will build a silk retreat sac near the top of the enclosure. Leave this undisturbed when possible.
Temperature & humidity
P. regius comes from Florida and the Caribbean, so they prefer warm temperatures. Aim for 22–28°C during the day, with a slight drop at night. A small heat mat on the side of the enclosure (never the bottom) works well in UK homes.
Mist one side of the enclosure lightly every 2–3 days to provide a drinking source and maintain 50–70% humidity. Allow the other side to dry between mistings to prevent excess moisture buildup.
Feeding
P. regius is an active, enthusiastic feeder. Feed appropriately sized live prey every 2–3 days:
- Spiderlings: melanogaster fruit flies
- Juveniles: hydei fruit flies, small crickets, waxworms
- Adults: large crickets, bottle flies, mealworms, dubia roaches
A good rule of thumb: prey should be no larger than the spider's abdomen. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours. Pre-moult fasting (sometimes for weeks) is completely normal. Do not attempt to force-feed.
Handling
P. regius is great for handling. Let them walk onto your hand voluntarily. Most will do so readily once they're comfortable. Keep handling sessions short and calm, especially with younger spiders still settling in.
Their vision is very sharp. They will look directly at you and react to your movements. Avoid handling outdoors or near open windows, and always handle close to a surface. Never handle during or just after a moult.