Jumping spider - Phidippus regius "White" Bahama

The stage at which the spiders are sold is between L3 and L7.

Information

Phidippus regius “White Bahama” is a jumping spider from North America and the Caribbean, this species comes from the Bahamas. Just before molting they climb into their web and stay there until the process is complete. The animals are hunters and catch their food without any problems. It is always a spectacle to see them. Suitable food animals are fruit flies, house flies 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. The humidity should be 70% with good ventilation. We spray some water in a corner, this is enough and it is better to spray sparingly than too much. The animals absorb the water droplets as needed and thus quench their thirst.

Appearance

The female and male are approximately 3-4 cm in size including the legs. The female has a larger abdomen, but the male has slightly longer legs. The color of the male is always the same, black spotted with white with green chelicerae, in contrast to that of the female, which varies from light white-beige to dark brown or even solid black.

Behaviour

Jumping spiders are real hunters. When presented with a fly or cricket, she will quickly start hunting and catch her prey with a jump. They are active during the day, so they are often clearly visible. At night they sleep in a cocoon they make themselves or hide under a plant.

Food

Adult regius eat curl flies, house flies, 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 its molt or sleep. Be alert to this. The young regius eats fruit flies, curl flies or micro crickets. The regius can handle prey as large as itself. They drink from the spray water, make sure it is fresh and not too cold.
We advise not to water too much, they like drought. A few drops that they can grab/get themselves are sufficient. And fruit flies are in principle the best source of nutrition.

Environmental requirements

A jumping spider's enclosure should be approximately 5x5x7cm with good ventilation. Ultimately, a 20x20x30 terrarium may be suitable for adult spiders. The humidity is between 40 and 70% with an ideal temperature of 26-28 degrees. It is important that the spider can drink something (drop) every few days, much more is not necessary.
You can heat it with a lamp, do not use a heating mat from the bottom (due to the risk of dehydration). Placing the enclosure in a bright place at room temperature is also possible, so they may be less active. The desired temperature is 24-30°C during the day, at least 14°C at night.

Group housing

Jumping spiders cannot be housed together due to cannibalism.