Jumping Spider - Phidippus regius Everglades

The stage at which the spiders are sold is between L2 and L5. The size ranges from a few millimeters to half a centimeter.
 

Information

Phidippus regius “Everglades” is a jumping spider from the Everglades National Park in Florida. Phidippus regius “Everglades” are, like all jumping spiders, quite agile and you will almost always see them. Just before molting, they climb into their web and remain there until the process is complete. The animals are hunters and catch their food without problems. It is always a spectacle to see them. Suitable food animals are fruit flies, houseflies, or small crickets. Anything not eaten within a day should be removed from the terrarium. We feed and water young spiders every 3 days and adult spiders once a week. Humidity should be 70% with good ventilation. We spray some water in a corner, this is sufficient and it is better to spray sparingly than too much. The animals absorb the water droplets as needed and thus quench their thirst.

Appearance

Female jumping spiders have a striking orange color on the thorax and abdomen. Male Phidippus regius “Everglades” are black and white and have green-metallic shimmering chelicerae. A colorful species!

Behavior

Jumping spiders are true hunters. When offered a fly or cricket, they will quickly go on the hunt and catch their prey with a jump. They are active during the day, making them often clearly visible. At night, they sleep in a self-made cocoon or hide under a small plant.

Food

Adult regius eat curly flies, houseflies, crickets, or other small insects. A cricket that is not eaten must be removed from the enclosure, as it can disturb or even kill the spider during a molt or sleep. Be alert to this. Young regius eat fruit flies, curly flies, or micro crickets. The regius can handle prey that is as large as themselves. They drink from the spray water; make sure it is fresh and not too cold.
We advise not to spray too much; they like dryness. A few drops that they can catch/get themselves are already sufficient. And fruit flies are initially the best food source.
 

Environmental Requirements

A jumping spider's enclosure should be approximately 5x5x7cm with good ventilation. Ultimately, a terrarium of 20x20x30 can be suitable for adult spiders. Humidity should be between 40 and 70% with an ideal temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius. It is important that the spider can drink something (a drop) every few days; much more is not necessary.
Heating can be done with a small lamp; do not use a heating mat from below (due to the risk of dehydration). Placing the enclosure in a bright spot at room temperature is also possible, but this may make them less active.

Group Housing

Jumping spiders cannot be housed together due to cannibalism.