Regal Jumping Spider

About

The regal jumping spider is a daytime, vision-driven hunter — unusual among spiders in that it watches you back. That temperament is most of why people keep them, and it makes them a genuinely good first spider. Enclosure. Vertical space matters more than floor space. Around 4x4x6 inches suits an adult, with cross-ventilation on at least two sides; stagnant air is a far more common cause of death than a slightly wrong temperature. Include climbing structure and a few upper corners where a hammock retreat can be anchored. The lid must be genuinely secure — these are fast and they jump. Climate. Room temperature is fine: 70–80°F, 50–60% humidity. Mist one side lightly every 2–3 days rather than the whole enclosure, so there is always a dry side to retreat to. No standing water dish — in an enclosure this size it is a drowning risk, and they drink from droplets. Feeding. Two to three appropriately sized prey per week for an adult; spiderlings closer to every 2–3 days. They build no prey-catching web, so food must be something they can stalk. Remove uneaten prey. Molting. They seal themselves into a silk retreat to molt and may stay there for days or, in a mature female, longer. Do not open it, poke it, or attempt to feed. A spider that has stopped eating and retreated is usually molting, not ill. Lifespan. Females typically live 2.5–3 years in captivity, males 1–1.5. That difference surprises people, and it is worth knowing before choosing an animal — a mature male may have months rather than years left at purchase. Safety. Venom is medically insignificant to humans. They are among the more handleable spiders kept, though a jump from height onto a hard floor is the real hazard, to the spider rather than to you.

Taxonomy

Size & growth

Climate

Enclosure

Feeding