The Bio Dude, a reptile and invertebrate supply shop, says a regal jumping spider needs height more than floor space, strong cross ventilation and a room at 70 to 78 °F, with no heat pad or lamp. Its care sheet gives no enclosure dimensions.
Which spider, and whose advice
This is the regal jumping spider (Phidippus regius). The Bio Dude says adult males average about 12 mm (0.5 in) long and females about 15 mm. Its care sheet comes from a shop. We found no vet or welfare care sheet for this spider.
Enclosure
The Bio Dude says regal jumping spiders need vertical space more than floor space: they spend most of their time climbing, basking and building silk hammocks near the top. It suggests a small vertical enclosure for a juvenile, and for an adult a medium to large glass or acrylic one with more height than floor space.
It also says to avoid overly large enclosures, so feeding, checking on the spider and cleaning stay easy.
Air and water
The Bio Dude asks for strong cross ventilation and no stagnant air. Keep the substrate lightly moist, not wet, and lightly mist one side of the enclosure or the decor so there are droplets to drink.
Temperature and light
Keep the room between 70 and 78 °F (21 and 26 °C). The Bio Dude says no extra heat is needed if it stays in that range, and to avoid heat pads and heat lamps. Regal jumping spiders are active by day, so a regular light cycle helps.
Food
The Bio Dude says to feed by the size of the abdomen rather than by the calendar: more often if it looks smaller or shrunken than normal, less if it gets overly large and swollen. Adults eat about every 5 to 7 days. Prey should be no larger than the spider’s body.
Jumping spiders don’t need vitamin or calcium powder, it says, but feed the insects fresh fruit and vegetables for at least 24 hours before they’re offered.
Handling
Don’t handle a jumping spider more than you need to. If you do, move slowly and work over a soft surface: The Bio Dude says a fall is a much bigger risk to the spider than a bite is to you.