Species Profiles

"Jumping spider" covers a big family — over 6,000 described species. The three genera below are the most common in the hobby, and each has its own personality. All are web-and-wonder hunters: curious, spatially aware, and eager to watch you back.

Phidippus — the regal jumpers

The classic pet jumping spider. Phidippus regius (the regal jumping spider) is the largest species kept commonly — adult females can reach nearly an inch of leg span.

• Origin: southeastern United States and the Caribbean.
• Size: large for jumpers; chunky, furry bodies.
• Color: females vary enormously — gray, tan, orange, with bright chelicerae (the green-blue "fangs"). Males are typically black-and-white.
• Temperament: famously bold and handle-tolerant; the best "first jumper."
• Care notes: standard care with a little more space at adult size; adults eat houseflies and mini bottle flies. Captive-bred slings are widely available, which keeps wild populations undisturbed.

Salticus — the zebra jumpers

Salticus scenicus, the zebra jumping spider, is the little black-and-white striped jumper you'll find on sunny walls across Europe and North America.

• Origin: widespread — often literally on the side of your house.
• Size: small (under half an inch); big personality.
• Color: black-and-white stripes, like a tiny zebra.
• Temperament: curious and quick; small size means delicate handling.
• Care notes: excellent ambassadors for wild spider observation. If you keep one, small prey (fruit flies) and small enclosures are the rule. Consider observing-and-releasing wild-caught individuals rather than keeping them long-term.

Habronattus — the paradise spiders

Habronattus males are the dancers of the jumping spider world — during courtship they flash iridescent faces and red-orange leg fans in precise choreography.

• Origin: North and Central America; grassland and open-woodland habitats.
• Size: small to medium.
• Color: subtle browns above; vivid reds, teals, and iridescence in the male's courtship display.
• Temperament: active, visual hunters — watching a courtship dance is a highlight of keeping them.
• Care notes: better for observation than handling; they appreciate low, wide enclosures with perches for displaying. Most often kept by experienced keepers; sourcing captive-bred stock protects wild colonies.

Choosing your first jumper

For most keepers: Phidippus regius — large enough to handle comfortably, hardy, widely captive-bred, and full of personality. Whatever you choose, matching prey size to the spider and never disturbing molts matters more than species.

A note on wild collection

Every species above thrives in captivity when captive-bred. Collecting wild individuals disrupts local populations, and wild spiders carry parasites and mites more often. If you love the spiders in your neighborhood, the kindest choice is usually to watch, photograph, and log them — no enclosure required.