Regal Jumping Spider
Phidippus regius C. L. Koch, 1846
Exceptional vision
They possess some of the most acute vision in the spider world, with large, forward-facing eyes that give them excellent depth perception and a nearly 360-degree field of view.
Jumping mechanics
Two key joints in each leg have no muscles to straighten them. Instead, they rapidly increase the blood pressure in their legs, which causes them to forcefully extend and launch the spider through the air, sometimes many times their body length.
Dietary flexibility
While primarily insectivores, larger individuals have been known to attack and consume surprisingly large prey for their size, including small lizards or frogs.
Field notes
| Range | Southeastern USA, Bahamas, Antilles |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 1 to 2 years in the wild |
| Size | 6 to 22 mm; females larger |
| Weight | A fraction of a gram |
| Colour | Males black and white; females gray to orange |
| Diet | Insects and other spiders |
| Family | Jumping spiders (Salticidae) |
In the book
The Regal Jumping Spider is number 12 of the 101 creatures in Glowing Bugs. Its two pages show it from three sides, at its true size, with a map of where it lives. The plate is an artistic interpretation and does not show the true colours of the living animal.
