8 Best Jumping Spider Species for Pets: A Complete Guide

Not all jumping spiders are equally suited to captive life. Of the roughly 6,500 described Salticidae species worldwide, only a small handful belong in a beginner’s enclosure, and even fewer are reliably available from captive breeders in 2026. This guide ranks the eight species you should actually consider, explains why we rank them in this order, and tells you which one to pick for your specific situation.

Quick verdict (for the impatient reader): If you have never kept a jumping spider before, buy a captive-bred Phidippus regius female from a US breeder. If you are in North America, want a native species, and want to spend less, buy Phidippus audax. If you are an experienced keeper who wants the largest pet jumping spider available, save Hyllus diardi for your second or third spider. Every other species on this list is a niche pick we explain below.

How we ranked these eight species

We score each species on six attributes drawn from our keeper community’s own buying decisions, breeder feedback, and published Salticidae references. The attributes are weighted toward what actually matters when you take a spider home: can you keep it alive, can you observe it, and can you find one to buy.

• Husbandry difficulty — temperature and humidity tolerance, equipment overhead, beginner-friendliness
• Size and observability — larger spiders are easier to enjoy without magnification
• Temperament and handling tolerance — how willing the species is to sit calmly on a hand
• Captive-bred availability — whether you can buy one in the US in 2026 without wild collection
• Visual appeal — color, iridescence, courtship displays
• Lifespan — longer-lived species give you more time with the animal

The eight species below all belong to family Salticidae and share the core jumping spider traits: eight eyes with the anterior median pair giving acute forward vision, daytime ambush hunting, silk retreat construction, and a curious disposition. Where they differ is in the details that decide whether you enjoy the hobby or struggle with it.

1. Phidippus regius (Regal Jumping Spider)

The regal jumping spider is a 12 to 22 mm North American salticid native to Florida, the Caribbean, and the southeastern US (source: Entnemdept). It is the most widely kept pet jumping spider in 2026 because it combines large size, broad color variation, a calm temperament, and a deep captive-breeding pipeline. For a first-time keeper who wants a single recommendation, this is the species.

Best for: First-time keepers, families with supervised children, anyone who wants the most established pet species and the widest morph selection.

Size: Females reach 15 to 22 mm body length; males 12 to 18 mm. P. regius is among the largest Phidippus species and the easiest to observe without magnification.

Color morphs: Captive breeding has produced standard gray/white, leucistic white, orange, apricot, and patterned variants. Males display iridescent green chelicerae used in courtship displays. Females tend toward gray or white with distinctive cream facial markings. Florida-line and Bahamian-line specimens look distinct enough that breeders often label them.

Temperament: Calm, curious, and tolerant of brief handling after a short acclimation period. Individual personalities vary, but as a species regals rank among the most handleable salticids. Adults often respond to slow finger movement with the characteristic forward head-tilt that has made viral videos of this species. See our jumping spider behavior guide for what that head-tilt actually means.

Husbandry: Temperature 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, humidity 50 to 60 percent, standard 4x4x7 inch arboreal enclosure. Diet of fruit flies for slings, small crickets, waxworms, and bottle flies for adults. No specialized heat, lighting, or humidity equipment required at typical US room temperatures.

Lifespan: Females 1.5 to 3 years; males 9 to 15 months after maturity. The longest-documented regal was a female at the Bronx Zoo that lived four years and nine months (source: Jumpingspidercare).

Availability and price: Widely available year-round from numerous US breeders and seasonally from PetSmart. Standard morphs: $15 to $40 for juveniles, $35 to $60 for sub-adult/adult females. Rare morphs (true white, premium orange lines): $60 to $100+. Shipping is reliable across the lower 48 states from spring through autumn.

Buying verdict: Best overall. Start here unless you have a specific reason not to. For the full husbandry walkthrough, see our Phidippus regius care guide.

2. Phidippus audax (Bold Jumping Spider)

The bold jumping spider is an 8 to 19 mm North American salticid found across the eastern and central United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico (source: Animal Diversity Web). It is the most common jumping spider most North American keepers encounter in the wild, and it is the budget-friendly captive-bred alternative to regius. Care requirements are identical to P. regius, so the choice between the two comes down to color preference and price.

Best for: Keepers in North America who want a native species, budget-conscious first-timers, anyone who prefers the iridescent green chelicerae and crisp black-and-white pattern of bolds over the more varied regius morphs.

Size: Females 8 to 19 mm; males 6 to 15 mm. Slightly smaller on average than P. regius but still large enough for easy observation.

Color and appearance: Black body with two rows of white spots on the abdomen separated by black banding. Both sexes show vivid iridescent green or blue-green chelicerae, but males are more brightly patterned. Less morph variation than regius because the captive breeding base is smaller.

Temperament: Bold and confident, true to the common name. P. audax individuals tend to be active explorers that investigate movement readily. Handling tolerance is good but they tend to jump sooner than regals, so use the cupped-hand transfer method until the spider is settled. Our jumping spider handling guide covers the cupped-hand technique step by step.

Husbandry: Identical to P. regius: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, 50 to 60 percent humidity, 4x4x7 inch arboreal enclosure. Accepts the same feeder insects. No special considerations.

Lifespan: 1 to 2 years; females occasionally reach 3 years. Males live notably shorter than females, following the standard Salticidae pattern.

Availability and price: Very widely available. Juveniles: $10 to $25. Sub-adult/adult females: $30 to $45. Often the least expensive captive-bred jumping spider on the market, and frequently sold as slings at expos.

Buying verdict: Best budget pick and best native-North-American pick. For the full husbandry walkthrough, see our Phidippus audax care guide.

3. Hyllus diardi (Heavy Jumping Spider)

The heavy jumping spider is a 20 to 25 mm Southeast Asian and African salticid that is the largest commonly kept pet jumping spider in the hobby (source: Bantam Earth). Its size and slower movement make it visually impressive, but its subtropical origin demands higher temperatures and humidity than any Phidippus species. This is the spider you graduate to after a year with a regius or audax, not your first.

Best for: Intermediate keepers who want a larger, subtropical species and are willing to run a heated, humidified enclosure. Not recommended as a first spider.

Size: Females up to 20 to 25 mm; males slightly smaller. The largest pet jumping spider you will commonly find.

Color and appearance: Orange, yellow, and black banding on legs and abdomen. Lighter cephalothorax with two white longitudinal stripes. Eye arrangement is set in a more circular pattern than Phidippus species and the overall build is heavier and more robust looking.

Temperament: Calmer and slower than Phidippus species, partly because their ideal temperature is higher than typical US room conditions, so a room-temperature H. diardi is a slowed-down H. diardi. At proper husbandry temperatures they are alert hunters but still move more deliberately than regals or bolds. Handleable when fully warmed and acclimated.

Husbandry: Temperature 78 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (warmer than Phidippus). Humidity 70 to 80 percent (significantly higher). Recommended enclosure 8x8x8 inches with deeper substrate for humidity retention, a thermostat-controlled heat mat, and often a full-spectrum daylight to stimulate feeding behavior. This is real equipment investment, not optional. See our Hyllus diardi care guide for the full setup.

Lifespan: 1 to 3 years. Females live longer, following the standard pattern. Full lifespan potential is only reached with consistent tropical-range conditions year-round.

Availability and price: Less widely available than Phidippus species. Juveniles: $25 to $40. Adults: $45 to $70. Cold-shipping is a real risk; many breeders pause shipping outside of late spring through early autumn.

Buying verdict: Best size-spectacle pick for intermediate keepers. Skip if this is your first spider.

4. Phidippus otiosus (Canopy Jumping Spider)

The canopy jumping spider is a 10 to 17 mm southeastern US native closely related to P. regius, found mainly on tree trunks and in the canopy of pine and oak forests. It is less commonly sold than regius or audax but has a loyal following among keepers who want a colorful alternative with identical care requirements. Husbandry is plug-and-play if you already have a regius setup.

Best for: Second-spider keepers who want a colorful alternative to regius or audax with no learning curve on care.

Size: Females 10 to 17 mm; males 8 to 13 mm. Moderately sized.

Color and appearance: Males are particularly striking with orange to red faces, white lateral bands on the cephalothorax, and iridescent green chelicerae. Females are more subdued in brown and gray tones. The species shows more sexual dimorphism than P. audax while being slightly smaller than P. regius.

Temperament: Active, curious, and generally handleable. Behavioral profile similar to other Phidippus species. Some keepers describe them as marginally more skittish than regals but more colorful than bolds.

Husbandry: Standard Phidippus parameters: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, 50 to 60 percent humidity, standard 4x4x7 inch arboreal enclosure.

Lifespan: 1 to 2 years.

Availability and price: Moderately available. Juveniles: $15 to $30. Adults: $35 to $55. Found less frequently in retail stores, more commonly from online breeders and at expos.

Buying verdict: Best “I already have a regius” second-spider pick.

5. Platycryptus undatus (Tan Jumping Spider)

The tan jumping spider is a 9 to 13 mm North American salticid frequently seen on exterior walls, fences, and tree trunks in eastern and central US states. Its flattened, bark-mimic body profile makes it the most cryptic species on this list and the one most likely to be wild-caught rather than captive-bred. We rank it ahead of the smaller cosmopolitan species because of its size and observability.

Best for: US-based keepers interested in a commonly encountered native species, educational settings, anyone happy to wild-catch ethically.

Size: 9 to 13 mm body length. Moderate.

Color and appearance: Mottled brown and gray with a distinctive flattened, bark-textured appearance. Less visually dramatic than Phidippus species but interesting for its camouflage and unusually flat profile (only species on this list that habitually rests flush against a vertical surface).

Temperament: Moderate handleability. Tends to be fast and prefers to hide rather than explore. Less interactive than Phidippus species in an enclosure setting; better as an observation spider than a handling spider.

Husbandry: Standard temperate jumping spider conditions: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 50 to 60 percent humidity. Appreciates enclosure elements that mimic bark surfaces (flat cork pieces). See our tan jumping spider care guide for the dedicated setup.

Lifespan: 1 to 1.5 years.

Availability and price: Rarely sold by breeders. Most captive specimens are wild-caught. If purchasing, expect $15 to $30 from specialized sellers; more commonly kept by enthusiasts who catch their own. See our guide to catching wild jumping spiders ethically and legally.

Buying verdict: Best free-range option for US keepers willing to wild-catch. Skip if you want a captive-bred animal.

6. Hasarius adansoni (Adanson House Jumper)

The Adanson house jumper is a 5 to 9 mm cosmopolitan salticid found worldwide in and around human dwellings, often introduced via plant trade. It is small, quick, and not particularly handleable, but its global availability and accessible hunting behavior make it a viable observation pet for keepers happy with a small, fast spider.

Best for: Experienced keepers who want a small cosmopolitan species. Not recommended as a first spider unless you specifically want a small observation animal.

Size: Females 6 to 9 mm; males 5 to 7 mm. Small enough that you will want a 5x magnifier for detailed observation.

Color and appearance: Males have a distinctive black body with white cheek bands and red on the face during courtship. Females are mottled brown with cream banding on the abdomen. Less visually striking than Phidippus species at a glance but the males courtship coloration is genuinely pretty up close.

Temperament: Quick and alert. Less inclined to sit calmly on a hand than larger species. Best as an observation pet for keepers who enjoy watching hunting behavior without handling.

Husbandry: Temperature 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity 50 to 65 percent. Small enclosure sufficient (3x3x5 inches for adults). Diet limited to small fruit flies and micro-crickets due to body size.

Lifespan: 1 to 1.5 years.

Availability and price: Available from specialized invertebrate breeders. Juveniles: $10 to $20. Adults: $20 to $35. Sometimes locally collected where populations are established (Florida, Hawaii, urban Mediterranean climates).

Buying verdict: Best small-species observation pick. Skip if you want to handle your spider.

7. Habronattus spp. (Paradise Jumping Spiders)

The genus Habronattus includes over 100 species native to North and Central America, with males of many species displaying vivid reds, greens, and iridescent patches used in complex courtship dances. They are sometimes called “the Maratus of the Americas” for their visual displays, and they are far more accessible to US keepers than true Maratus. They are too small to handle but excellent to observe and photograph.

Best for: Keepers who want colorful North American native species with courtship displays. Display-and-observation animals.

Size: 5 to 10 mm. Small to moderate.

Color and appearance: Highly variable by species. Males can be brilliantly colored with facial tufts, leg ornaments, and abdominal markings. Females are more cryptic. The courtship displays of some Habronattus species (notably H. coecatus and H. pyrrithrix) rival Maratus for visual complexity.

Temperament: Quick and active. Smaller size makes handling difficult and inadvisable. Best for keepers interested in courtship behavior and macro photography.

Husbandry: Standard temperate conditions: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 50 to 65 percent humidity. Small enclosures (3x3x5 inches). Diet of small fruit flies and micro-feeders. Bright lighting helps stimulate male courtship displays.

Lifespan: 1 to 1.5 years.

Availability and price: Occasionally available from specialized invertebrate breeders and through wild collection. Prices $15 to $50 depending on species and seller.

Buying verdict: Best US-accessible “peacock-style” courtship-display pick.

8. Maratus spp. (Peacock Jumping Spiders)

Peacock spiders are 3 to 7 mm Australian salticids famous for the males’ extraordinarily colorful abdominal flaps, which they raise and vibrate during the courtship dances that have made the genus internet-famous. Dozens of species have been described in the last fifteen years, many through citizen-science macro photography. Their pet suitability is genuinely limited and we rank them last for clear reasons.

Best for: Advanced keepers in Europe or Australia who specifically want to observe Maratus courtship. Effectively unavailable to most US keepers.

Size: 3 to 7 mm. Very small. Handling is impractical and inadvisable.

Color and appearance: Males have iridescent abdominal flaps in species-specific patterns (Maratus volans, M. speciosus, M. personatus are the well-known examples). Females are cryptic and brown. The famous color is male-only and only visible during courtship.

Temperament: Active and curious but far too small for handling. Strictly an observation species.

Husbandry: Small enclosure (2x2x3 inches). Temperature 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity 50 to 60 percent. Diet of springtails and Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies only due to body size.

Lifespan: 1 to 1.5 years.

Availability and price: Extremely limited in the US market due to Australian export restrictions. When captive-bred lines are available in Europe or Australia, prices range $50 to $100+. Wild collection in Australia requires permits.

Buying verdict: Skip in the US. If you live in Australia or have a verified European captive-bred source, it is a serious specialty pick.

Species comparison summary

The table below compares all eight species on the six attributes we score plus native range and breeder availability. Use it to triangulate the species best suited to your situation, then drill into the full profile above. The captive-bred availability column reflects the 2026 US market specifically.

Which species should you pick? Five scenarios

This is the question every reader actually wants answered, so we wrote it out plainly. The five scenarios below cover roughly 95 percent of the buying decisions we see in our keeper community. Read down the list, find the one that matches you, and stop reading.

Scenario 1 — “I have never owned a spider, I want something I can sometimes hold, and I want to enjoy the morph selection.” Buy a captive-bred female Phidippus regius, standard gray/white or orange morph, sub-adult age class, from a US breeder you have vetted. See our guide to where to buy a jumping spider for vetted-seller criteria. Budget $35 to $60 for the spider plus another $40 to $60 for the enclosure and starter feeders. This is the safest path into the hobby.

Scenario 2 — “I am in North America, I want a native species, and I want to keep cost down.” Buy a captive-bred Phidippus audax juvenile from an expo or online breeder. Care is identical to regius, so any care guide that works for one works for the other. Budget $15 to $35 for the spider.

Scenario 3 — “I want the biggest pet jumping spider available and I am willing to buy heating and humidity equipment.” Save up for an adult Hyllus diardi female and order during late spring or early autumn to avoid shipping temperature risks. Get the enclosure, heat mat, thermostat, and full-spectrum light dialed in before the spider arrives. Budget $45 to $70 for the spider plus $80 to $120 for the upgraded setup.

Scenario 4 — “I already have a regius or audax, I want a second spider, and I want something visually different but easy to care for.” Get a male Phidippus otiosus for the orange-red face and white lateral bands. The husbandry copies straight over from your existing setup, which is the main reason to pick otiosus over a non-Phidippus species for your second animal.

Scenario 5 — “I want to watch courtship displays and I am happy to skip handling.” Look for captive-bred Habronattus pyrrithrix or H. coecatus from a US specialty invertebrate breeder. The male courtship dance is genuinely worth the smaller body size and the no-handling tradeoff. Macro photography pairs well with this pick.

What we tell new keepers in our community

In our keeper community the overwhelming first-spider recommendation is Phidippus regius, and the most common second-spider after a year of regal-keeping is either P. audax for the budget-friendly side-by-side comparison or H. diardi as a difficulty step-up. New keepers who try to jump straight to H. diardi or to a non-handleable species like Maratus or Habronattus often report frustration; the larger handleable Phidippus species are simply more engaging for someone learning the hobby. The species you start with shapes whether you stay in the hobby, so the conservative pick usually wins. For setup, see our jumping spider care guide; for pricing details on any species, see our jumping spider cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which jumping spider species is best for handling?

Phidippus regius and Phidippus audax are the most handleable species due to their larger size, calm temperament, and tolerance of human interaction. Of the two, regius edges out audax for absolute calmness; audax tends to jump sooner and explore more actively. Individual variation exists within every species, so pick a sub-adult or adult specimen with a settled disposition rather than a fast juvenile, and use the cupped-hand transfer method until the spider is comfortable.

Can I keep two jumping spiders in the same enclosure?

No. All jumping spiders are solitary predators that will attack and eat other spiders, including members of their own species (source: Arachnoboards). Cohabitation is one of the most common fatal mistakes new keepers make. Each spider must be housed individually regardless of species or sex. The only time two spiders should share space is during a brief, supervised breeding introduction monitored continuously by the keeper. See our common jumping spider mistakes guide for the full list of beginner pitfalls.

What is the difference between a regal and a bold jumping spider?

Regals (P. regius) are larger (12 to 22 mm vs 6 to 19 mm), native to the southeastern US and Caribbean, and come in many captive-bred color morphs including white, orange, and apricot. Bolds (P. audax) are smaller, native across the eastern and central US, and have a more uniform black-and-white pattern with vivid iridescent green chelicerae. Care requirements are identical. Regals tend to be calmer; bolds tend to be more actively exploratory.

Are peacock spiders good first pets?

Peacock spiders (Maratus spp.) are not recommended for beginners. They are very small (3 to 7 mm), cannot be handled, have effectively no availability in the US due to Australian export restrictions, and require micro-feeder cultures (springtails, melanogaster fruit flies) that add culture-maintenance overhead beyond what a beginner setup needs. If your goal is to observe colorful courtship displays, Habronattus species are the realistic US substitute.

Do all jumping spider species need the same enclosure?

The basic enclosure design (vertical orientation, cross-ventilation, climbing structures, secure lid) applies to all species. Size, temperature, and humidity differ. Hyllus diardi requires a larger 8x8x8 inch enclosure with higher temperatures (78 to 86 F) and humidity (70 to 80 percent). Smaller species like Hasarius adansoni and Habronattus do well in 3x3x5 inch enclosures. Always match enclosure parameters to your specific species. See our jumping spider enclosure setup guide for the per-species sizing matrix.

Which species lives the longest?

Phidippus regius and Hyllus diardi females are the longest-lived commonly kept species, with documented lifespans of 1.5 to 3 years and a record of nearly 5 years for one Bronx Zoo regal. Males of every species live noticeably shorter than females, usually 9 to 15 months after maturity. Smaller species (Hasarius, Habronattus, Maratus) typically max out around 1 to 1.5 years. See our jumping spider lifespan guide for the full breakdown.

Researched and written by the ExoPetGuides editorial team with AI-assisted drafting. All husbandry parameters and source claims independently verified against UF/IFAS Featured Creatures (Phidippus regius), Animal Diversity Web (Phidippus audax), and published Salticidae references. Last updated 2026-05-15.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian – ideally an exotic-animal specialist – for any health concern about your pet. Care recommendations may vary based on species, individual animal, and local regulations.