Mary Allen
There are different types of jumping spiders. In this country, the Phidippus regius is considered a favorite for keeping in the home terrarium. It is one of the largest specimens of the jumping spider family. Their homeland is the eastern states of the USA, the Bahamas, and the West Indies. It finds its habitat on meadow landscapes, on the edges of forests and on trees, but also on house walls.
The body measures about 1.5 to 2.0 cm. The shape is stocky and short-legged. The color scheme varies from grey-brown, orange-red, pink to black and white. The expressive eyes with strong vision are characteristic. Two large pairs of eyes are on the front forehead and two other small pairs on the head end. The retinas are mobile and can be moved in different directions. This gives the spider the ability to see as if through a wide-angle without having to move its head. She has everything in view!
The arthropod is diurnal and has rapid movements. He catches the prey without a net. If he discovers a prey animal, he lies in wait for it, jumps on it, and paralyzes it with a targeted bite. Before each jump, he attaches a thread to the ground. With this, he can rappel down and get to safety in case of danger.
Acquisition and Maintenance
To avoid stress and cannibalism, jumping spiders should always be kept individually. Our animals come from our own and responsible breeding. All are strong and free from parasites and other diseases.
So that the spider feels comfortable in its new home from day one, the temperatures should be checked for a few days before moving in.
Terrarium Requirements
The minimum dimensions are 20 cm length x 20 cm depth x 20 cm width. The substrate consists of special terrarium substrate or potting soil or coconut humus. The substrate is laid out over the entire floor and a few centimeters high. To keep it moist, spray it with fresh water every day.
A jumping spider likes to climb and run. To do this, she needs sufficient opportunities, e.g. Bamboo poles or cork oak branches. It’s nice if she can also sit on the cork attached to the pool walls. A not-too-big, robust and non-poisonous plant improves the climate in the terrarium.
Proper temperatures are between around 26 to 27 degrees Celsius, with the top section being warmer. It is helpful to attach a fluorescent tube or a small light spot, each with 18 watts. The humidity is 70 to 75%. This can be easily regulated by spraying the inside of the pool with a little water every day. Don’t get the spider wet! The drops serve as a source of water for the animal. Good air circulation through openings on the underside of the pool is also important. Permanently installed measuring devices such as thermometers and moisture meters help to control the climate.
To prevent the spider from jumping out of the terrarium, an air-permeable cover (e.g. fleece) must be attached. The right location is quiet, dry, not too sunny, and drafty.
Gender Differences
The females are larger than the males and their dress has different color variations. The biting tools (chelicerae) can appear both violet and greenish. In contrast, the males only show a black and white coloration. However, their chelicerae are purple to greenish.
Feed and Nutrition
The diet consists of huntable live food. Juveniles eat fruit flies and silverfish. Adult specimens like various arthropods, e.g. house flies and house crickets.
There should always be a flat container with fresh water on the floor.
Acclimatization and Handling
The jumping spider should go directly to the species-appropriate terrarium after purchase. After a little rest and acclimatization, she will definitely show up at feeding time.
Of course, she also has poison. Although bites are unlikely, they are harmless and hardly painful. As long as the animal is treated with care and does not feel threatened, it remains harmless and trusting.
If you want, you can plan offspring. To do this, an adult male is placed in a terrarium with a sexually mature female. The mating is mostly peaceful and begins with a kind of dance. The male moves his arms, taps his legs, and slowly approaches the female.
After fertilization, the female builds a cocoon. The spiders that have hatched are to be taken out of the tank and separated. The female may build more cocoons. Mating can occur 2 to 3 times.